DUKE 
UNIVERSITY 


LIBRARY 


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REPORT a. 


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THROUGH THAT PART OF THE UNITED STATES 


WHICH LIES WEST OF ¥ 
THE ALLEGANY MOUNTAINS : 


PERFORMED UNDER THE DIRECTION 


OF THE 
MASSACHUSETTS MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 


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BY SAMUEL J. MILLS AND DANIEL SMITH. 


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ANDOVER : 
PRINTED BY FLAGG AND GOULD. 
18135. 


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ADVERTISEMENT: 


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Durine the years 1812 and 1813, the Rev. Messrs: 
Schermerhorn and Mills performed a Missionary Tour 
through most of the United States. They were guided by 
instructions received from the Trustees of certain Mission- 
ary Societies in New England. The principal objects of 
their Mission were—to preach the gospel to the destitute, 
—to explore the country and learn its moral and religious 
state,—and to promote the establishment ef Bible Socie: 
ties, and of other religious and charitable institutions. 
The friends of religion, who are desirous to learn what 
were the exertions and success of the Missionaries, are re- 
ferred to their printed Reports, designated as follows :— 

“‘ A correct view of that part of the United States, which 
lies west of the Allegany mountains, with regard to relig- 
ion and morals. By John F. Schermerhorn and Samuel 
J. Mills.” Printed at Hartford, Con. 1814. 

«Report to the Society for propagating the Gospel 
among the Indians and others in North America.” 

«‘ Communications relative to the progress of Bible So- 
cieties in the United States,” addressed to the Bible Soei- 
ety of Philadelphia. Printed in Philadelphia, 1813. Re- 
printed at Baltimore. 

In the years 1814 and 1815, Messrs. Mills and Smith 
performed a similar Missionary Tour, having the same 
objects, with some others, in view. An account of their 
exertions and success is presented to the public in the fel- 
lowing Report. 


hide res 
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CONTENTS. ase 


1. Introductory letter. 
IL. TIL IV. Ewertions in favour of Bible 

north of the bay river. 
V. View of the country north of the a rit 
ered as @ missionary field. 
VI. View of Kentucky and Teicsbedhian “ws nt 


VIL. View ft ‘the country from the. a. 


Fa Pe 


wie 
eT Ba a guatite! Phe yr P| ‘ 


ML. View of the Mississippi 


al ta 19 cond tana ' 
ca Depa aounoe <a aed 


XII. Communication, respecting ‘da 
«gious rorede od ahoyt Ubi ios = oe aw r 


APPENDIX. bia tbe ty SW all 


RT 


et cpr Ges 


REPORT. 
1. INTRODUCTORY LETTER FROM MR. MILLS. 


Pirrssuren, Penn. Ave. 30, 1814. 


To the Committee appointed by the Trustees of the Massachusetts Mis- 
sionary Society, to superintend a mission to the western and south- 
western parts of the United States : 


. GenTLEMEN, ae 

I received your Instructions, dated the 7th of July last, previously 
to my leaving Boston. In the instructions, you advised me to pro- 
eeed to Connecticut, and make arrangements for the then contemplat- 
ed mission. A proper companion to accompany me on the mission, 
had not at that time been obtained. In compliance with your instrue- 
tions, I went on to Connecticut, and engaged as my fellow labourer 
Mr. Daniel Smith. As Mr. Smith was known to you, and as we had 
previously conversed together respecting his qualifications for the 
. mission, and found our sentiments to be in unison, I did not hesitate 
to engage him to accompany me.* 

Together with your instructions, I received from you a Statement, 
presenting your views of the importance of the mission, addressed 
“ To the friends of religion in general: but particularly, to the Di- 
rectors and Trustees of the Connecticut Missionary Society, the Con- 
necticut Bible Society, the New-York Bible Society, the New-York 
Missionary Society, and the Philadelphia Bible Society.” ‘The ob- 
ject of this Statement was (as you will recollect) to give an opportu- 
nity to the Trustees and Directors of the above-named charitable 
associations, to aid in defraying the expenses incurred by the mission- 
aries, and also to make up to them a reasonable compensation ‘for 
their services. 

Agreeably to your instructions, the Statement was presented to the 
Directors and Trustees of the several Societies to whom it was ad- 
dressed. But we did not receive any promise of support from any of 
them, until we arrived at Philadelphia. The Managers of the Bible 
Society of that place, had previously given encouragement, that they 
would make a considerable donation in our favour, on condition, that 


** That Mr. Smith was approved by you, we had full confirmation from your let- 
ter dated Ang. 24, and received by us at Marietta, Sept, 10. 


6 


we would take charge of an edition of French New’ 
signed for paytees distribution, among the Roman Catholi ¢ 
western and southern portions of our country. Before we left Phila- 
deiphia, they concluded that they would seeure to us six hundred 
dollars.* ; . mh i cog 
Your Statement was also presented, to the Trustees of the Phila- 
delphia Missionary Society. Although their funds were small; and 
they had never before yi 5g missionary exertions, exeept in the 
city and the vicinity ; still they readily engaged to consider us as la- 
bouring in their service, one month each, while employed on the mis- 
sion. ‘lhe compensation they secured to us, for this service was one 
hundred dollars. phe Mu 
The whole amount of donations in support of the miss we 
left Philadelphia, was thirteen hundred dollars. 
From the Massachusetts Missionary Society $600 
From the Philadelphia Bible Society = =~ 600 ~~ 
From the Philadelphia Missionary Society ee rn 
“? PP ye ae, 
Before we left Philadelphia, six hundred English Bibles were sent 
on to Pittsburgh. These Bibles were the donation of the achu- 
setts Bible Society, committed to our care for distribution | es 
tern eountry.—One hundred Bibles were forwarded to the care of 
Dr. Coffin, East Tennessee, for distribution. This donation was from 
the Female Missionary Society of Boston. About five thousand cop- 
ies of the French New Testaments were also sent on to Pittsburgh. 
We received general instructions from the Managers of the Phils 
phia Bible Society respecting the distribution of them. We had li 
wise at our disposal, about fifteen thousand Religious Tracts; pub- 
lished by the New England ‘Tract Society, and committed to our eare 
for distribution by a number of the original subseribers. In addition 
to the Tracts, we had a large quantity of Sermons and Pamphlets on 
a variety of religious subjects, principally donations from gentlemen 
residing in Massachusetts and Connecticut. We had also at our dis- 
posal, fifty copies of the Memoirs of Mrs. Harriet Newell. We had » 
previously provided ourselves with a light waggon, which we propos- 
ed to retain as long as the roads in the new country would permi 
Thus equipt and followed by the prayers of many of the fri 
Zion, we left Philadelphia on the 15th inst. and proceeded on o 
way to this place. We arrived on the 28th. — TERR Tarte 
In the interiour of this State, there are extensive rastd ae vepnity 
very destitute of religious privileges ; especially the vallies between 
the Allegany mountains. The inhabitants of these vallies have as 
yet been in a great measure neglected by Missionary Societies. Very’ 
little exertion has been made, to supply the destitute with Bibles and 
religious books. We distributed among them a considerable quantity 
+» besieiey 
* This Society had printed 5000 copies of the French New 7 
itous distribution ; and 1000 of superior execution for sale. 400 of these were en- 
trusted to our care, to be disposed of for the benefit of the Society :—and they were 
afterwards purchased by the Bible Society of Louisiana, at 409 dollars. 


. 


7 


of Tracts and Sermons. Their curiosity was excited, and in some 
instances the pamphlets were eagerly sought after. From what we 
could learn with respect to these people, we should be led to fear, 
that they are becoming more ignorant and vicious, as the settlements 
advance in age. 
agers Yours with sentiments of esteem and affection, 
SAMUEL J. MILLS. 
Rev, Samvex Worcester, D. D. 
Jeremian Evarrs, Esq. 
Hewnrr Grar, Esq. 


I. Evxertions in favour of Bible Societies &c. north of the Ohio Riv- 
er,—Letters from Messrs. Mills and Smith. 


Somerset, Ohio, Sept. 24, 1844. 
To the Rev. Samvuer Worcester, D. D. 
Dear Sir, 

Mr. Evarts’s letter of 24th ult. was received a few days since at 
Marietta. A storm that prevents our travelling, gives us time to ac- 
knowledge the receipt of it, and to report to you the progress we have 
been enabled to make im our mission. We left Philadelphia on the 
45th of August and reached Pittsburgh on the 28th. There we tar- 
ried a few days waiting the arrival of the Bibles and Tracts com- 
mitted to our care; which we had reason to expect would have been 
there sooner than ourselves. But as we could not be long detained, 
we left orders for them to be forwarded to Marietta, and went on our 
way. Mr. Mills went through Steubenville to Wheeling, ( Vir.) and 
Mr. Smith through Cannonsburgh and Washington. At Cannons- 
burgh there is a college, which has been a great blessing to that por- 
tion of the country. Most of the clergy have been educated at it. 
The Rey. Mr. Wiley is the principal. _ He is assisted by two others. 
The present number of students is about forty. There is a fund here 
for the education of pious young men for the ministry, capable of sup- 
porting a small number. At Washington, 6 miles off, there is anoth- 
er aah The Rev. Mr. Brown is the principal. There are about 
sixty students. At Washington, Mr. Smith was present at a meeting 
for the formation of a Bible Society, and assisted in its organization. 
It was a pleasant meeting. A number of clergymen and others, of 
different religious denominations, were present. ‘The business was 
entered upon with unanimity and with engagedness. The Society is 
denominated “ The Bible Society at Washington, ( Penn.)” The Rev. 
John Anderson, is the President. About twenty persons subscribed 
the constitution. ‘There is a prospect of 150 or 200 members.* The 
people of the western parts of Pennsylvania, are perhaps more highly 


* The Bible Society at Washington Penn. as we have lately learnt, is very flour- 
ishing. It is established in a new country and confined to a small district : There is 
another older Society at Pittsburgh. Yet this infant institution has received funds 
to the amount of five hundred dollars. It has a country deplorably destitute of the 
Scriptures, in its immediate vicinity, in the borders of Virginia—and has begun a 
eareer of benevolent exertion, that will only end, we dre confident, with the uni- 
versal diffusion of religious knowledge. 


38 


favoured with respect to religions privileges than any other portion 
of the western country. A ne 


they appear to their privileges. 
Mr. Smith attended a sacrament at Wheeling, whieh near t 


ders of Pennsylvania, and saw females of rt 2 
walking four or five miles to meeting. The Lord we | 
to excite this people to exert themselves in extending | 
to their destitute neighbours and brethren. "GN pS 
We met at Grave Creek, having been separated for sey 
As we were travelling on the banks of the Ohio, we were. 
pressed with the idea, that a mission ought, if possible, tot 
established on the banks of this river. Permit us, dear § ‘hre 
you, to urge this station upon the notice of your Society ; and perk 
of other Missionary Societies in New England. Between Steu 
ville and Marietta, (a distance of about a hundred miles,) there * 
regular clergyman. Only one place, Wheeling, is supp. ed with 
Presbyterian preaching half the time. This round seems also to be 
very much deserted by Baptists and Methodists. There mi ve 
on both sides of the river, as many as eight or ten stations seleetes 
where very considerable congregations might be convened to hear the 


. 
? 
§ 
r 


Gospel preached. These stations might be visited by a missionary 
once in a fortnight or three weeks: and in this way, as many pe ple 
would be supplied with the Gospel, as perhaps could be supplied by 
the same trouble and expense, in any other portion of our new coun- a 


try. ‘The people on this station, so far as we could learn, appear to 
be willing to attend meeting. At Grave Creek, Mr. Mills appointed 
a lecture; and in about two hours more than fifty people came to- 
gether. A missionary on this station, might have frequent opportu- 
nities of exerting a salutary influence upon the boatmen that naviga' e 
the river; who are a set of men as much corrupted p thaps, aS any 
in the country. The distribution of Bibles and eligious Tracts, 
_among the beatmen and the inhabitants, would be a v ry pleasant and 
promising part of his business, The river bottom, extending on 
two miles in width, is extremely fertile, and will no doubt in 
years have a very numerous population. To preoceupy t 
a matter of immense importance to the interests of the 
kingdom in this vicinity. Din te wes 
We arrived at Marietta on the 8th inst. On our ine 
the state of the Ohio Bible Society, we were happy to lea 
appears to be flourishing, and bids fair to be a powerful 
in diffusing the knowledge of the Scriptures throughout th 
world. This Society was formed about two years dete, a 1en rs. 
Mills and Schermerhorn were at Marietta on their former r is 4 of 
During the first year after its formation, the Society received from — 
subseribers nearly two hundred dollars, Since the commencement of 
the present year it has received nearly four hundred dollars. Th 
Society has received from the Massachusetts Bible Society a donat 
of one hundred dollars ; fram the Connecticut Bible Society 1 r 
nations amounting to five hundred Bibles; from the New ork Bibl 
Society a donation of one hundred Bibles; and from the Phi adelphia 
Bible Society a donation of thirty-one Bibles and six -eight Testa- 
ments, The Society has actually distributed four hundred and eighty 


9 


ene Bibles ahd sixty-seven Testaments, and has now sent to Phila« 
delphia to purchase four hundred Bibles more. 

This Society has also, apparently, been the means of provoking to 
emulation the good people in other parts of the State. A Bible Soci- 
ety has been formed in the Connecticut Reserve, which has already 
sent to Philadelphia for six hundred Bibles. Another is formed at 
Chillicothe; and another is contemplated at Cincinnati. Measures 
are now taking to unite these several Societies, and others that may 
be formed, into one general State Society. While we tarried at Ma- 
rietta, our Bibles and Tracts arrived. We repacked them as soon 
as possible, and ordered them to different places, still farther to the 
west and south. We are now again on our journey. Whether we 
shall be able to penetrate as far west as St. Louis, we know not. It 
is apprehended to be dangerous travelling through the Territories, on 
account of hostile Indians. May the Lord direct us in the path of 
duty, and be our Protector; then we shall he safe. 

Hitherto the Lord has wonderfully preserved us. We can say with 
truth, that on our long journey no harm worth mentioning has been 
suffered to befal us. Why then should we now distrust the provi- 
dence of God? We proceed therefore with confidence, followed, we 
hope, by many prayers. 

We are, dear Sir, yours most affectionately, &c. 


Ill. Exertions in favour of Bible Societies continued. 


St. Louis, Missouri Territory, Nov. 7, 1814. 


Dear Sir,—Our last communication to you was dated, near Lan- 
caster, Ohio, Sept. 21. We have delayed writing to you, longer 
than we otherwise should, because our plans of conduct have hitherto 
been somewhat undetermined. We did not know, that we should be 
able to reach this place. But through the kind providence and pro- 
‘tection of our God, we have passed safely through the wilderness, and 
have now reached the most western point of our contemplated tour. 

At Laneaster, we called on the Rev. Mr. Wright, a presbyterian 
clergyman. He has formerly been a laborious missionary ; and has 
much information respecting the religious state of the western coun- 
try. Since his settlement in that place, and within six years, he has 
distributed four hundred Bibles. He is therefore well acquainted 
with the proportionate number of the destitute, in Ohio. And, in his 
opinion, as many families, as one in five, are not possessed of the 
Scriptures. According to this estimate, more than thirteen thousand 
Bibles are necessary, in order that there may be one to each family. 
Here is a large field for the exercise of Christian liberality. Mr. 
Wright relates some signal instances of the blessed effects of giving 
away the Bible. He has seen a man notorious for indifference to re- 
ligion, and for profaneness, suddenly arrested in his career of stupid- 
ity and folly, by this simple means. He has seen him turned about, 
and in the judgment of charity thoroughly converted from the error 
of his ways, and made a humble worshipper of the Lord Jesus. And 
all this was effected by the gift of a Bible. What Christian—wwhat- 

7) 


ow 


410 


friend of humanity, would not give sixty cents to bring about a 
like this !* x ot Re a Ca 
From Lancaster we proceeded to Chillicothe; tarried there a day 
or two, and went on to Cincinnati—The presbytery in that vicinity 
had been for some time endeavouring to procure the formation of a 
Bible Society for the country between the Miamies. But they had 
not effected it. We suggested to a number of clergymen, who were 
providentially in town, the expediency of proceeding immediately to 
the formation of a Society. They approved of the proposal, and gave 
notice of a meeting for the purpose. ‘The next day we had the sat- 
isfaction of’ seeing a number of clergymen and others, of different de- 
nominations, assembled. But as many were not present, whose as- 
sistance was desired, it was thought best to Homer the matter until 
the next week. A committee was appointed to prepare a constitu- 
tion, and notice was given of another meeting.—Cincinnati contains 
5,000 inhabitants, a has a rich back country. We doubt 
fore, that before this time a Society is formed there, which will be a 
powerful instrument, in the diffusion of the Sacred Scriptures. The 
ladies there have taken the precedency in that labour of love. ek 
have associated themselves under the denomination of, “ The 
Society of Cincinnati for charitable purposes.” They were about to 
send to the managers of the Ohio Bible Society, to procure for them 
one hundred Bibles. Agreeably to your instruetions, we made known 
to the Rev. Mr. Wilson the circumstances of the mission with respect 
to support ; and, at his request, after an evening service in which Mr. 
Mills preached, a contribution was received in aid of the mission. 
It amounted to twenty dollars—to which the Ladies’ Society added 
twenty dollars more. Of these, and other similar donations, a strict 
account will be given to your Society. At Cincinnati we submitted 
the question to the decision of a number of Presbyterian clergymen, 
whether we ought to attempt to go through the western Territories 
to this place. They unanimously decided that we ought to go for- 
ward. We therefore went on: But we did it with some degree of 


hesitancy. For we were obliged, in a great measure, to relinquish a 
promising field of usefulness in the neighbourhood of Cineimati, and 
also in the neighbourhood of Lexington, (Ken.) ER OP Og. 


As we passed through the Indiana Territory, we oe ne 
view the great object of procuring the formation of a Bible Society 
there. We conversed with gentlemen of the first respectability from 
Lawrenceburgh to Vincennes. And although some had never even 
heard of such an institution; yet all without exception approved of 
the object. We had several interviews with Governor Posey at Jef- 
fersonville. He gave his decided approbation; and said he would 


“Tat 
Ny 


* See Appendix, A. - 


At the time appointed, a Bible Society was organized at Cincinnati, for the 
country between the Miamies, and obtained subscriptions to the amount of three 
hundred dollars, When we received our last information from that place subscrip- 
tion papers had been printed and circulated; and funds had been obtained to a much 
larger amount. Exertions were still making to increase the amount of the Society’s 
resources. , 


44 
exert himself in favour of such a Society. The ulation of this 
Territory is increasing with surprising eae fost it amount- 
ed to little more than 24,000. Now it is thought there are 50,000 in- 
habitants. Very many of these are poor people, and destitute of the 
Sanidieteteses> os ve. socio 
_ Inthe LUlinois Territory, we pursued the same course ; and were 

_ so happy as to meet with universal countenance and approbation. 
_ At Shawanee-town we saw Judge Griswold, formerly from Connecti- 
eut. He will be a decided friend of the Bible Society. He favoured 
us with letters of introduction ta Governor Edwards, and other gen- 
tlemen at Kaskaskias. The Governor has promised to patronize the 
Soeiety should one be formed. This Territory is deplorably desti- 
tute of Bibles. In Kaskaskias, a place containing from 80 to 100 
families, there are, it is thought, net more than four or five. At 
Prairie du Rocher we had an interesting conversation with Bishop 
Fiaget of the Roman Catholic church, respecting the distribution of 
the sacred volume among his people. He said he heartily approved ; 
and would exert himself to promote the cireulation of the French 
Seriptures among the Catholics of his diocese :—with only this re- 
serve, that he must first examine the translation, and see that it is 
one approved by the ehurch. 

_ In this Territory, our prospeets are flattering with respect to the 
formation of a Bible Society. The measure has many friends ;—we 
have yet heard of none who oppose it. Governor Clark has already 
beeome ajsubseriber.. We have strong hopes, therefore, that we shall 
seon see respectable Bible Societies established in each of the Terri- 
tories... Such institutions are certainly very much needed. It is ex- 
ceedingly difficult, even for those who have money, to procure Bibles. 
Very few are ever offered for sale. Many of the inhabitants are un- 
able to buy... The Methodist church sends very considerable quanti- 
ties of other books into this country for sale ; but it sends no Bibles— 
or almost none,*..We have much regretted, in passing through the 
Territories, that we were not able to proceed more slowly, and to per- 
form more missionary labour. But considering the length of our tour, 
and the adyaneed season of the year, we have done what we could. 
Sure we are, that no person, who has one spark of benevolence in his 
heart, ean forbear to exert himself, while passing through this land 
of darkness and the shadow of death. 

_ From this place we expect to return immediately, through Illinois 
and Indiana, to Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky ; and then to pro- 
eeed, as expeditiously as circumstances will permit, to Natehez, and 
New Orleans. 

Yours in the bonds of Christian affection. 


IV. Evxertions in favour of Bible Societies continued. 


: Shawanee-town, Illinois Territory, Jan. 12, 18135. 
To Jeremian Evarrs, Esg. 
Dear Sir,—We wrote our last letter to Dr. Worcester, from St. 
Louis, in the early partof November. Since that date, we have, with 


* See Appendix, B. 


42 


the blessing of God upon, our nay incl a0 Meee ee 
through the Territories, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. or- 
mer letter we gave you a brief view of our 
formation of Bible Societies for the. Territories, until the d 
letter. Previous to our leaying St. Louis, as 
circulated in order to ascertain who would favour the formation of 
Bible Society for the Territory. Near pow ees 
subscribed in the course of a day or two, 
place. The subscribers engaged to pay << sums annexed to thei 
names, to the proper officer of their Society, when it should be 
ized. ‘There was a meeting of a number of the subseribers. . The 
chose a committee to draw up the Constitution of a Bible Society, 
appoint a second meeting, when they proposed to adopt it. 
we left the Tertitory, a subscription paper to aid the objee 
contemplated Bible Society was drawn up at tho depildatensgiaal 
another at St. Genevieve. We have not as yet ascertained the amount 
subscribed at these places. From. the disposition manifested, by a 
number of influential characters in these two places, we doubt not 
considerable sums will be subscribed. We ascertained, 
never had been any English Bibles, or French Testaments, sent into 
this Territory for gratuitous distribution, exeept in one instances 
Some time since, the Direeting Committee of the Bible — 
Philadelphia sent to the care of Dr. Elliot, then residing at St. 
evieve, a number of English Bibles and French Testaments to “aoe 
tributed by him. The English Bibles were very. soon given out, and 
the French ‘Testaments principally.* ‘This Territory ree pene sh 
ry important and interesting field for missionary labours. \T. 
many ‘persons here, who have heretofore been membersy,cither of 
Congregational or Presbyterian churches; and whovregret, withma- 
ny a heart-ache, and many a tear, the loss of former privileges, and 
are looking with anxiety toward the rising sun, for some one to come > 
to them, who shall stand and feed themin the name of Christ, and 
break to them the bread of life. Ai “46416 SE an MN dot Se 
November. 9th, we left St. Louis, erossed the Micaiaahppiyml pew 
ceeded on our way to Kaskaskias. Previously to our leaving” 
Kaskias, vet a second conversation with Rove fanaa, 
the subject of the proposed Bible Society in the linois Territory. 
He PSE ressed his penser desire, that the Society snichiaetien goiinto 
operation. He was anxious that we should stay until organ-| 
ized ; but as it would be a considerable time before the 1 ‘the. 
meeting could be extensively cireulated, we did nokissbedndapesipaie:ten 
delay. We had previously conversed with some of A mast intacw 


A letter from Mr. Stephen Hempsted of St. ‘Ferdinand, near St. Poti dated 
March 27, 1815, mentions, that the exertions, that have been made to procure the 
formation of a Bible Society for the Missouri Territory, have met with some si 
tion, so that the institution contemplated has not yet been organized. But the mea- 
sure has many friends, who still keep the object in view. Amon g whom ee : 
nor Clark and many of the most respectable inhabitants of the Territ rue’ 
a thousand good ends, that would be. answered by stationing a missic 
Territory, one would be, the’ permanent establishment of this ation tno 
struggling into existence, ’ 


13 


tial characters, of the different denominations, upon the subject of 
forming the Society. ‘They not only approved of the Society, but 
engaged that they would exert themselves in favour of its formation. 
We did not find any place in this Territory, where a copy of the 
Seriptures could be obtained. Merchants occasionally bring into the 
Territories books of this description. The common school Bible is 
not unfrequently sold for two dollars. When we consider the infe- 
rior manner in which the Bible is often printed, this is certainly a 
very high price. 

On the 14th of November we left Kaskaskias, and proceeded on 
our way to Shawanee-town. On our return to this place Judge Gris- 
wold informed us, that exertions were making to form a Bible Socie- 
ty for the eastern part of the Illinois Territory. He thought it most 
likely these exertions would prove successful.* 

We could not ascertain, that there had ever been any Bibles or 
Testaments sent into this Territory for gratuitous distribution, and 
comparatively but a few families are supplied with either. Some, 
who are anxious to obtain the Bible, and able to purchase it, have 
been for years destitute. One man, whom we saw in this Territory, 
informed us, that for ten or fifteen years he had been using exertions 
to obtain the Sacred Seriptures, but without success.+ Notwithstand- 
ing there are many ready and able to purchase the Scriptures, still 
there are many others who cannot with convenience supply them- 
selves; and must for years, perhaps as long as they live, be destitute 
of the Bible in their families, unless their wants are relieved by oth- 
ers who have ability and a disposition to supply them. 

We arrived at Vincennes, on the 19th of November. While we 
were at that place, a subseription paper was circulated, similar to the 
one cireulated at St. Louis. One hundred dollars were very soon sub- 
seribed. The prospect was, that twice that sum would soon be ob- 
tained. The subscribers appointed a second meeting, when they pro- 
posed to adopt the constitution of a Bible Society for the western part 
of the Indiana Territory, or rather the Wabash District.} On the 
25th of November, we arrived at New Albany, near Jeffersonville, 
which is situated at the falls of the Ohio. While we remained in the 
vieinity of the falls, subseription papers were circulated to ascertain 
who would aid the proposed Bible Society for the eastern part of the 
territory. These papers were circulated in Jeffersonville, New Al- 
bany, and Charlestown. Near 250 dollars were soon subseribed ; and 
a time was appointed for the meeting, when it was expected the eon- 
stitution would be adopted.§ 


* A day or two after this letter was written, we arrived at Shawanee-town, on 
our passage down the river, Judge Griswold informed us that nothing but the prev= 
alence of a severe epidemick -had prevented the formation of a Bible Society, on 
Christmas day, the time appointed for that purpose. He said the object was kept 
steadily in view, and he did not doubt but it would shortly be effected. Other gen- 
tlemen expressed the same opinion.—Judge G. had received the box of fifty Bibles 
which we had forwarded to his care. Already had there been many more applica- 
tions for them than could be supplied. 


+ See Appendix, C. .- + For the result of these exertions, See Appendix, D. 
§ See Appendix, E, 


i4 


More than 700 dollars have been subseribed, since:we-eanie inte 
the Territories, to purchase Bibles to give to the destitute. We have 
no doubt that these subscriptions will be very eonsiderably inerease 
But a few of the people, disposed to favour the object, have had an 
opportunity to subseribe. Papers will he more generally circulated, 
when the societies shall go into a Pe rae yale 
ritories are settling very fast. any poor people are among the num- 
ber of those, who on wie of the Ohio. If those good men, who are 
disposed to favour the promotion of religion and sandiicne 
eral distribution of the Sacred Scriptures among the destitute, con- 
tinue to exert themselves, as we believe they will, still resources 
cannot be collected probably by them, more than 1 , 
the yearly increasing destitute part of their population. . From the 
best estimate, we could make, with respeet to the proportion 
ber of destitute families in the three territories, we are led te believe, 
that 10 or 42,000 Bibles are necessary, in order to supply each desti- 
tute family. wh, te eh glee | ancceting pee 
_ You will readily perceive, Sir, that living as most of 
the Territories do, 1000 or 1500 miles from any place where thi 
is printed, very many of them must for a long time remai 
unless their necessities ean be relieved, at least in a considerable de- 
grée, by the Managers of Bible Societies in the different States. 
¥rom the 600 Bibles committed to our care by the Committee of the 
Massachusetts Bible Society, 75 were ordered to the eare of certain 
gentlemen in the Indiana Territory; 50 to Shawanee-town, to be dis- 
tributed in the Hlinois Territory ; and 50 to St. Louis, to the eareo 
Stephen Hempsted. Do, Sir, intereede with the managers of Bible 
Societies in your vicinity to aid in supplying the destitute poor in this. 
portion of our country. The early part of December, we visited 
Lexington and Frankfort. Each of us at Frankfort had an opportu- 
nity of preaching to a number of the members of the Legi e, a 
of presenting them with a view of the object of our mission, — ~~ 

The 20th of December we returned to the Falls of the Ohio. We 
were detained at that place some time, waiting for a passage down 
the river to Natchez. ©. yeaa weve Sapampecies 

January 5th, we left Louisville, and embarked on board a keel- 
boat, descending the river to Natchez.—We lately received a letter 
from Mr. Hennen of New Orleans. He expressed his great satisfae- 
tion that the French Testaments were on their way to that place. 
He remarked in his letter, that the French people were frequently 
inquiring for them. He did not apprehend that any serious opposition 
would be made to their circulation from any quarter. Since we left 
Cincinnati, (Ohio,) we have followed the adviee contained in your 
letter, relative to presenting the object of the mission, where we ha 
a convenient opportunity, and receiving donations to aid in defr; 
the expenses. The result has been favourable. Near 300 dollar 
have been given to us for this purpose. 2 epi 

Thus far the Lord has prospered us, greatly prospered us. Dear 
Sir, pray for us, that God would still more abundantly sueeeed our 
feeble exertions to extend the kingdom of his Son; and may He grant 
that the dark valley of the Mississippi may soon be illuminated with 
the light of the everlasting Gospel. 


45 
_V. View of the country wire - Ohio, cousidered as a missionary 


___, On the Mississippi, below New Madrid, Jan. 20, 4815. 

_ Rev. Samver Worcester, D. D. ] 

_ Dear Sir,—In our former letters we have detailed many of the inter- 
esting events of our mission. And we have vecasionally hinted at the 
importance of certain fields of missionary labour, im the portions of 
eountry through which we have passed. We now beg leave to state, 
a little more at large, the observations we have made, and the 
thoughts that have occurred to us, on this interesting subject. We 
have already taken occasion to urge upon your notice, and the no- 
tice of your Society, a missionary circuit on the hanks of the Ohio, 
between Steubenville and Marietta. Westill think that a very im- 
portant field, and should heartily rejoice to see it beeupied by a faith- 
fullabourer. In the state of Ohio, other circuits, perhaps of equal im- 
portance, might be pointed out. But this has been already done by 
Mr. Schermerhorn. (See his “ Correct View,” &e.) This State, 
although in many parts deplorably destitute of the means of grace, is 
on the whole far better supplied both with established preachers and 
missionaries, than any of the States or Territories west or south of it. 
With a population of about 250,000; it has more than 50 Presbyte- 
rian and Congregational ministers—making an average of one preach- 
er to 5000 inhabitants; while the State of Kentucky has not one 
Presbyterian minister to 10,000 inhabitants, and the North-western 
Territories not one to every 20,000. Qhio is fast emerging from the 
feeble, helpless state of infaney. Religion is taking deep root; and 
its branches are spreading from the river to the lake. Charitable in- 
stitutions are formed and forming in various parts; such as Bible, 
. Tract, and Moral Societies: and their salutary influence is begin- 
ning to be felt. But in other portions of western country it is not so. 
We propose, therefore, in this and some following communications to 
turn your attention more particularly to them. We begin with the 
Territories. We have travelled through them—have seen the naked- 
ness of the land, and our eyes have affected our- hearts. We have 
heard the ery, Come over and help us. 

‘Inprana, notwithstanding the war, is peopling very fast. Its 
settlements are bursting forth on the right hand and on the left. In 
4840 there were in this Territory 24,500 inhabitants ;—now they are 
computed by the Governor at 35,000 by others at 40, and by some at 
50,000. Its principal settlements are on the Miami and Whitewater, 
—on the Ohio (extending in some places 20 miles back) and on the 
Wabash and White river. Many small neighbourhoods have receiy- 
ed an addition of from 20 to 40 families during the last summer. 

When we entered this Territory there was but one Presbyterian 
elergyman in it;—Mr. Scott of Vincennes. He has valiantly main- 
tained his post there, for six years past. He has three places of 
preaching: and although he has not been favored with an extensive 
revival ; yet his labors have been blest to the edification of his con- 
gregations. His church consists of about 70 members. Between the 
forks of- White river, there is also a Presbyterian congregation; in 


46 


which there are about 30 communicants and we have late ly heard 
that a clergyman is now settled among them. In the State of Ohi 
we saw the Rey. William Robinson. He informed us, that he ex- 
pected soon to remove to the Territory and establish himself at Mad 
ison on the Ohio. It is probable, then, that there are three Presby- 
terian clergymen now in the Territory. But what are wen for the 
supply of so many thousands? They are obliged to provide princi- 
patly for their own support, by keeping school through the week, or 
by manual labor. They have, therefore, very little time to itin , 
The settlements on the Miami and White-water, we did not visit; 
but were informed by Missionaries, who have oceasionally labouretl 
there, that they afford promising fields of usefulness. Probably ec 
gregations might be formed there. Places of preaching, where con 
siderable numbers of people would assemble, might be established, 
with short intervals, from Lawrenceburgh, near the mouth of the Mi 
ami, to Jeffersonville, on the Falls of the Ohio. In the vicinity of 
the Falls, are two other flourishing little villages, Charlestown and 
New Albany. It is of high importance that the standard of the truth 
should be immediately planted here;—fer these places, or some of 
them, must soon become rich and populous tows. At Charlestown, 
there is a small Presbyterian church. But it languishes for want of 
the bread and of the water of life. Leaving the river, and proceed- 
ing a little further west, we came to other flourishing settlements. 
Corydon is the present seat of government for the Territory. Salem, 
a county seat, has near it three other places where churches might 
be formed. These settlements are yet in there infaney, It is said, 
however, that they are able tosupport a minister. And yet there are 
aay here, who, for five years past, have not seen the face of a Pres- 
yterian clergyman. Their hearts have been grieved Pinca own 
of their brethren to send them any aid. While the Methodists: hav 
told them, You may as well join our society, for you never will 
see a preacher of your own denomination here. Many have com- - 
plied with this advice—but some have remained steadfast. When 
they saw us, they shed tears of joy. In that part of the Territory 
that lies on the Wabash, there are settlements, both above and he- 
Jow Vincennes, that deserve the attention of missionary bodies, par- 
ticularly those above, on Bussaron. An immense number of scldlees 
have been crowding out on that frontier during the last season. We 
have now given a brief view of the principal settlements in the Indi- 
ana Territory. If one or two faithful Missionaries could be sent into 
it, to travel through it, and search it out—to collect congregations 
and organize churches—who can tell how mueh good might be done ? 
They might become the fathers of the churehes there. Thousands 
would rise up hereafter and call them blessed. i) BS 
The I:urno1s Territory, when the last census was taken, con- 
tained 42,000 inhabitants. Its present population may be about 45,000. 
The hostilities of the neighbouring savages have prevented any very 
considerable increase. Until the last summer, titles of land could 
not be obtained in this Territory. But now Land Offices are opened 
—and some portions of the country are extremely fertile. Itis prob- 
able, therefore, that settlers will now begin to Hock in, especially if 


isned, 


17 


issippi, and the Kaskaskias. The eastern settlements are 
: i setensine, spreading 30 miles up the Wabash, and 40 
wn the Ohio. ‘They include the U. S. Saline, where a considerable 
uber of people are employed in manufacturing salt, to the amount 
of ) bushels a week. Of this county, Shawance-town is the seat 
f justice. 1t contains about 400 houses, situated on the Ohio, 12 
a below the entrance of the Wabash, and subject to be overflowed 
at high water. But it is continually deluged like most other towus 
in the Territories, by a far worse flood of impiety and iniquity. Yet 
even here a faithful missionary might hope to be extensively useful. 
The people heard us with fixed ond solemn attention; when we ad- 
dressed them. The western settlements in this Territory are sepa- 
rated from the eastern by a wilderness of 100 miles. They lie ina 
country highly interesting, considered as missionary ground. ‘The 
American Bottom is an extensive tract of alluvial soil on the bank of 
the Mississippi, 80 miles in length, and about 5 in breadth. This 
land is endowed with a surprising and an exhaustless fertility. It is 
capable of supporting, and is doubtless destined to receive an immense 
opulation. The high lands back are also extremely fertile. Kas- 
je is the key to all this country: and must therefore beeome a 
piace of much importance, although at present it does not greatly 
ourish. It contains between 80 and 100 families, two thirds French 
Catholies. , The people of this place are very anxious to obtain a 
Presbyterian clergyman. Gov. Edwards assured us; that a preacher 
of popylar talents would receive a salary of $1000, per annum, for 
preaching a part of the time, and instructing a small school. By 
giving another portion of his services to the people of. St. Genevieve 
e might obtain an addition of 2 or 300 dollars. Six miles from Kas- 
kaskias there is an Associate Reformed congregation of 40 families. 
Besides this we did not hear of a single organized society of any de- 
nomination in the county, nor of an individual Baptist or Methodist 
preacher. The situation of the two upper counties is in this respect 
somewhat different. Baptist and Methodist preachers are consider- 
ably numerous; and a majority of the heads of families, as we were 
informed by Gov. Edwards and others, are professors of religion. A 
Methodist minister told us that these professors were almost all of 
them educated Presbyterians. And they would haye been so still, 
said he, had they not been neglected by their eastern brethren. Now 
they are Baptists and Methodists. How many of them could be re- 
stored to the Presbyterian connexion by a pradent and pious mission- 
ary, itis impossible to say. In all this Territory there is not a sin- 
gle Presbyterian preacher... And that is not all: when we arrived 
there we learnt that very considerable districts had never before seen 
one. Already have the interests of orthodoxy and of vital. godliness 
suffered an irretrievable loss. And they must suffer more and more, 
until missionaries are employed and sent to erect the standard of the 
truth, and establish the institutions of the Gospel. 
he Missourr Territory is fast rising into importance, and is 
well worthy the attention of missionary societies. In 4840 it contained 
3 


48 


little more than 20,000 souls. © At present we have reason to Wellies 
from information obtained from Gov. Clark, that this "Territory has 
a population little short of 30,000. It has never been ‘explored, as 
we could learn, by any person having its religious state and interests 
in view. Our remarks, therefore, except with to those parts 
visited by us, cannot be very particular. In St. Louis and ates 
borhood, the call is extremely urgent for a elergyman. It ec 

about 2,000 inhabitants ;—one third perhaps are Americans, the re- 
mainder French Catholics. The American families are many 
them genteel and well informed; but very few of them religious. 
Yet they appear to be thoroughly eonvineed, by their own e nee, 
of the indispensable necessity of religion to the welfare’ of Society. 
When we told them that a missionary had been appointed to that 
station by the Connecticut Missionary Society, they received the in- 
formation with joy. And they are anxiously expecting editor. f 
The most respectable people in town assured us, that a young mai 
of talents, piety, and liberality of mind, would receive an abundant 
support; 12 or 1400 dollars a year might be relied on by such a man ; 
if he would teach a school and preach but a part of ‘his time! The 
remainder might he devoted to the neighbouring settlements. When 
we consider the present situation of St. Louis, and the high probabil- 
ity that it will become a flourishing commercial town ; ‘we eannot but 
earnestly desire, that the person already appointed, or some other 
suitable one, may speedily be sent to occupy ‘this important post. 
Situated just below the confluence of the IHinois, the Mississippi and 


the Missouri; no place in the Western country, New Orleans exeept- 
ed, has greater natural advantages. No place, therefore, has hig rt 
importance, considered as a missionary station.* 9 ORAL a 


- Next to St. Louis in point of importance, is St. Genevieve.” Tt/lies 
one mile from the Mississippi, including New Bourbon'about two miles 
distant; it has a population of 1500. There are about 25 American 
families ; the remainder French. A missionary visiting this place’oc- 
casionally, would be well received, and would obtain atonsiderable part 
of his support. While a person acting in the double eapaeity « — 
er and instructor of the Academy in that place, would receive a salary 
of $1000 per annum. Respecting the religious state of ‘the’ other 
towns and villages in the Territory, we have no definite information. 
It should speedily be inquired into by a missionary on the . 
There are also many American settlements throughout the country, 
that require to be sought out, and to have congregations organized, 
where they are eapable of it. Among which are the following: The 
settlements in the neighborhood of the lead mines are very eonsidéra- 
ble. At Mine a Burton (40 miles west from St. Genevieve) there is 
a village of 20 families. When the people of that place heard that 
we were in the Territory, so anxious were they to obtain'a Presbyte- 
rian preacher, that they circulated a paper, and immediately procur- 
ed subscriptions to the amount of $200 for a missionary who would 
visit that place oecasionally. Mr. Austin, originally from New-Bns- 
land, sent us a pressing invitation te eome and preach there. But 


* See Appendix, F. 


419 


that was impracticable, and their hopes were for the present disap- 
ainted. . These settlements are certainly interesting in a missionary 
point.of view. The annual produce of the mines, two years since, 
was 4,525,000lbs. of lead. ‘The number. of Lapa | employed in dig- 
il elting, &c. is.at present very great,and will doubtless in- 
erease with rapidity. On the Saline, 5 miles, from St. Genevieve, is 
erican settlement of about 50 families; some are Presbyteri- 

ans... At the Bois Brule bottom on the Mississippi, 45 miles below St. 
Genevieve, are about.30 American families. ‘There is also a settle; 

ent on the Platen, and a large one of 150 or 200 families on the 5 
‘rancis. Toward the North West from St. Louis, very considerable 
settlements are scattered ap the Mississippi, the Missouri, and their 
tributary streams, for near 200 miles, When we were in the Territo- 
ry, we could not learn that any Presbyterian. minister had ever before 
preached there; yet most of its settlements are frequently visited by 
Baptist and Methodist preachers, There was even a man of the 
New England sect of Christ-ians* preaching and distributing books 
in this and the adjacent Territory. 

In addition to the above detailed account of these Territories, we 
have a few general remarks to offer, applicable to them all. The 
character of the settlers is such as to render it peculiarly important — 
that missionaries should early he sent among them. Indeed, they ean 
hardly be said to haye a character ; assembled as they are from every 
State in the Union, and originally from almost every nation in Eu- 
rope. The majority, although by no means regardless of religion, 
have not yet embraced any fixed principles or sentiments respecting it. 
They are ready to receive any impressions which a public speaker 
may attempt to make. Hence every species of heretics in the coun- 

flock to the new settlements. Hence also the Baptist and Meth- 
ist denominations are exerting themselves to gain a footing in the 

Territories. If we do not come forward and occupy this promising 
field of usefulness, they will. Indeed they have already taken the © 
preeedence. Some portions of this country are pretty thoroughl 
supplied with their preachers. Why, then, it may be asked, should 
we not leaye it wholly to them? We answer, the field is large enough 
for usall.. Many of their preachers are exceedingly illiterate. And 
this cireumstanee, if some of the most respectable inhabitants may he 
eredited, has been a very great injury to the cause of Christ in many 
places. Besides, there are many Presbyterian brethren, seattered 
' throughout almost every settlement. And to supply them with the 
stated means of grace, so far as we are able, is a sacred duty incum- 
bent upon us. We have already mentioned a number of places, in 
which an. earnest desire was. manifested to have missionaries sent 
among them... This was not the desire of a few individual Presbyte- 
rians merely; but of many of the officers in the eivil government of 
the Territories, and of some of the most respectable citizens of vari- 
ous denominations. The three Governors and a number of the judges, 
in the respeetive Territories, expressed to us their feelings upon this 
subject. Gov. Edwards of Illinois has been for some time endeay- 


* The sect of Elias Smith. 


20 


ouring to ital) Peestives erian preacher the o:—and Gov. 
Indiana. roposed himself to write to some missionary Soci 
tain one for his neighbourhood. To be supported | 
and patronage of such men’ would be a vast advant 


Are not the fields then white already to the harvest? 
Christians at the East would lift up their’ eyes . Could 
they but see what we have seen—thousands rea _ perish, their 


eye-lids fast closed in spiritual slumber, and no one to em— 
Could they but see the sons and daughters of Jerusale mV yeeping for 
themselves and for their children ;—surely missionaries’ would no 
longer be wanting; nor funds for their support. — 

If missionaries could by any means be sent into itories, 
there are various other ways in which they could be extensively use- 
ful, besides their ordinary labours, in preaching and administering 
the ordinances of the Gospel. This country is almost wholly new 
ground. Many institutions that conduce to the benefit of Society, 
and to the advancement of religion, are not yet established. 1 
good might be done by exerting an influence in favour of schools, 
of the education of children. An inhabitant of the Eastern State 
can have no adequate conception of the want of schools in this coun- 


try. It is very common to find men of considerable dnd , whose 
children eannot read a word. Much good might also be “\ ~ 


Ss W 


’ 
missionary, in promoting the establishment and suecess of Bib 
cieties, and of other moral and religious institutions. In our r 
communications, we have made you, in some measure, 1inted with 
the dreadful famine of the written, as well as preached word « 
which prevails in this country. We have also laid before you ¢ 
count of our exertions and success in promoting the establishment ‘of 
associations for the distribution of the Seriptures:’ Shou se a 
sociations be organized, still they will need some fostering hand to 
support and render them efficient: otherwise m er 
away before the sacred oracles will be found inevery dw . The 
success with which we were favoured, altogether surpas ‘most 
sanguine expectations, proves that the happiest’ tripe: ier sah 
be expeeted from vigorous and persevering exertions in promoting this 
grand object. Such missionaries should be well supplied with Bibles 


and Religious Tracts for gratuitous distribution. Undoubtedly they 
would be so by Societies in the Atlantic States. In this way theit 
usefulness would be extended far heyond the sphere of their 7 ersonal 
exertions. We are confident, that our present mission is | far 


more useful than it would otherwise be, by the Bibles and Tracts 
with which we are furnished. Our Bibles are of course beneficial. 
Our Tracts (chiefly of the collection published by the New England 
Tract Society,) have been received and read with eagerness. “They 
have been handed from house to house ; and have been approved, 
far as we can learn, by all denominations. Sueh publications’ are’so” 
searce in this country, that attention is secured to them by that pow- 
erful principle—the love of novelty. Seetarian jealousies and even 
political prejudices against New England have promoted the cireula- 
tion and perusal of our Tracts. Cgn any good ‘thing come out of 
Nazareth ? Come and see. rg zi at . 


ot 


- » Perhaps, dear Sir, we have already stepped beyond our proper 
limits. » Our‘appropriate business is, to collect information, and state 
faets ;/ not to draw conclusions, nor attempt to direct our fathers in 
the ministry,.and missionary bodies, with respect to their duty. But 
we must ask your indulgence a little farther. From the view we have 
now given of the three Territories, it is apparent, that at least one 
missionary to each of them is indispensably requisite. If one or two 
more could by any means be obtained, there would be some peculiar 
advantages in the following distribution of them. The settlements in 
Indiana lie principally on the Eastern and on the Western sides of 
the Territory. A wilderness of about 100 miles intervenes. The 
same is the case in Illinois. The Eastern settlements in Indiana are 
sufficiently extensive to require the whole time of a missionary. 
While the Western settlements of this ‘Territory and the Eastern of 
Illinois, that is the country on both sides of the Wabash, might for 
the present be supplied by the same preacher. The other portions 
of Illinois on the bank of the Mississippi, seem to demand a distinet 
labourer. And the Missouri Territory should have one, if not two 
more. Considering the importance of St. Louis, it seems highly de- 
sirable, that one faithful man should be posted there, to labour in that 
place and its immediate vicinity; while another might be advanta- 
geously employed at St. Genevieve, the Mines, and other settlements 
in the Territory. 

It seems desirable that missionaries in this country should pay par- 
ticular attention to the towns and villages. They are much more 
destitute of religious privileges than the back settlements. Thé Bap- 
tist and Methodist preachers of this country find but little encourage- 
ment to visit them. The inhabitants of the towns having been long 
freed from the restraints of religion, have become much more vitiated 
in their morals, than those of the country. The character of Shaw- 
anee-town we have mentioned, not as in this respect singular; but 
as a specimen of almost all of them. Yet in these places there are 
many friends of good order and religion, who would hold up the hands 
of a respectable and pious minister. In these places we behold the 
germs of future cities. The village, that now contains nothing but 
Tog eabins, will soon beeome the dwelling place of thousands. And 
those thousands may all be favourably affected by the early estab- 
lishment of religious institutions there. 

And now, dear Sir, we.commend into the hands of your Society 
their brethren in the west. We have done what we could for them. 
We have endeavoured to represent their wretched condition. We 
have eonveyed to your ears their earnest eries for aid. And surely, 
’ if there be any bowels and mercies, their eries will not be heard in 
vain. It is not the voice of strangers and foreigners. They are 
members of the same civil community with us. Many of them are 
fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God. Some 
onee enjoyed with delight the Sabbaths, and sermons, and sacraments 
of New England. And their hearts still retain the relish. Their 
eyes are constantly looking towards the East. Their prayers ascend 
daily, that God would incline the hearts of their brethren to remem- 
ber them, and send them one to break to them the bread of life. But 


22 


the auswer of their prayers is long deferred; and their heart often 
sickens within them. By sending us among them, you have shown 
that they are not indeed forgotten, and have imspired) them with @ 
cheering hope. Shall that hope be grievously disappointed ? ~~) 
Yours with affection and respect, Ge, 9) 9) 
+ ACN aries ist” 
Fie vinehas Vet: " 

VI. View of Kentucky and Tenn fever oe 
On the Mississippi, above Natchez, Feb 815. 


4, 1815." 
Piven 
' nu: 

ni 


Rev. and Dear Sir,—The last communication we mad 
relative to the Mission on which we are engaged, was date Ja 


try, was noted with some degree of particularity, in the Correct iew, 


Wiad 


ings of great joy.*—A Missionary would no doubt he ye 
not only as a preacher of the gospel to the scattered lam 
flock, but also in aiding the funds of the Bible Society of t 


and in supplying the destitute with the sacred Scriptures. 


Tracts might likewise be committed to his care for distributior 
And it would be an object with him to inquire after pious young men, 
and eneourage them to prepare for the ministry.7 nell aid deacon 
The managers of the Kentucky Bible Society (as it is now ealled) 
have as yet had at their disposal but small resourees, Their ability 
however, to forward the object for which they are associated, is in- 
ereasing. They have contributed $200, to assist the New York Bible 
Society, in printing an edition of the Bible in the French Janguas: 
At the present time, we have reason to believe, the Bae posse 
by but comparatively few of the families in the State. OF the ¢ 
Bibles committed to our care by the Bible Society of Mass. 100 were 
left in this State for distribution. Fifteen hundred Religious Tracts . 
were distributed, a part by us, and a part were committed to the care 
of others to give out. ; ‘ 


+ 


ad oe 


* The Trustees of the Connecticut Missionary Society have lately received a com- 
munication from certain clergymen of respectability in Kentucky, earnestly request- 
ing, that they would send on a Missionary, to be employed in that State. We be- 
lieve the request will be granted, as soon as a proper character shall be found... 


+ There isa Female Charitable Society in Lexington, who support two young men 
in the Theological Seminary at Princeton. 


23 


. From extraets of letters in our possession,* it will appear, that the 
want of Bibles and Religious Tracts is very great im this State. 
oughout the westert country, the call is much more pressing than 
the religious public, in the older states, have been accustomed to sup- 
pose. Could the true state of the destitute be presented, funds, we 
are persuaded, to a much larger amount wou d be contributed, to 
extend to them more effectual relief. The state of Keatucky, ac- 
cording to the last census, had a population of more than 400,000 
souls. Liirty thousand Bibles are probably wanted to supply all the 
destitute families. There are about 80,000 people of colour, princi- 
pally slaves, within the limits of the State. It is very rare that a Bible 
ean be found in the possession of any of them, though many of them 
- ean read; and were they possessed of it, many more would soon 
learn. One of the managers of the Bible Society informed us, that 
he had given a few Bibles to these people ; and that they had receiv- 
ed them with tears of joy. They invoked the blessing of God, on 
those, who furnished the Bibles for distribution, and on the distribu- 
‘tors. They said they valued them more than all things else of which 
they were possessed. Have not these blacks peculiar claims upon 
us > If their eries for the Word of Life do not enter into our ears ; 
still they will into the ears of that God, who hears the ravens when 
they ery ; and he may visit us in judgment for neglecting them. 

_ The advocates for infidel principles, in this part of our country, 
are much less bold, and much less active, in propagating their senti- 
ments, than they were a few years ago. Publications, calculated to give 
eurreney to their tenets, we were led to believe, are generally neglect- 
ed. The present seems to be a favourable time, to attempt religious 
eharitable exertions among the people. 

- The formation of a Foreign Missionary Soeiety, among the Bap- 
tists in an important part of the State, has had an evident tendeney, 
not only to render less frequent the bickering and debate among those 
of that order; but has likewise been the means of removing many, to 
say the least, unkind prejudices, which before were felt toward other 
denominations. his spirit of Christian charity appears to be in- 
ereasing. 

- At Lexington there is building a second Presbyterian church. The 
prospect is, that a respectable congregation will soon be colleeted, 
under the eare of the Rev. Mr. M‘Chord. At Frankfort, the seat of 
government for the State, a handsome chureh has been erected, and 
nearly completed. Those attached to the Presbyterian connexion, 
did uot know whom they could obtain to settle with them. At Lon- 
isville, during our stay, a number of the citizens gave an invitation to 
the Rev. Gideon Blackburn to settle with them. They engaged to 
secure to him one thousand dollars a year, for his services a part of 
the time. When not oceupied in that place, he would be at liberty 
to supply other vacant congregations in the yieinity. A committee 
was chosen, to make arrangements for building a Presbyterian church. 
A disposition was manifested by a number of gentlemen of the place. 
to aid the objeet by their liberal donations. We have since been_in- 
formed,'that Mrs Blackburn will not comply with their request. The 


* See Appendix, G: . 


ee v1 are 
1 that men @fune 
nat m : 
na} 


Se ty 


place we conclude is vacant, _ Frankfort 
very important stations. It is much to be desirec J 
and talents might soon be introduced into them, A. ver; FE 
agence would doubtless be exerted by them on the yacunt country 
aroun : ‘ itl » wi hwo HT cost Soaten. debe hey 
As we did not visit TznnessEx, we have little to, say concerning, 
its present state. Both East and West Tennessee:present extensive 
Missionary fields. . By an estimate made about two years,ago, it ap- 
pears, that there were twenty five counties in the ai 
nearly 150,000 inhabitants, without a Presbyterian minis 
of them.* The vices, common in our western country, pre 
State,—intemperance—profanity—Sabbath breaking—gan 
.. More than two years since, there was a prospect, tl 
ciety would be formed in West Tennessee. Certain ecire 
had, however, prevented its organization. When we heard k: 
Nashville, the object was still kept in view; and. the eontemplated. 
Society will no ae eventually succeed. The want of, Bibl : 
other religiaus books in this State, is probably as greatas im 
tucky. A respectable clergyman says—‘ Perhaps one fourth of our, 
population has not a Bible.” According to this estimate, which we 
think is too fayourable, more than ten thousand Bibles are wanted, im 


order to give a copy to each destitute family. 


Yours affectionately, ey" en 
. ‘ ha bi tab teed oa 
VII. View of the country from the falls of the Ohio to Natchez. 


. Nutchex, Mississippi Ter. Feb. 
Dear Sir,—There are no very considerable villages, be 
place and the falls of the Ohio, a distance of more th 
dred miles. The banks of the Ohio and Mississippi are. 
settled. In descending these rivers, we have Bi tt 
in which the word and ordinanees of the gospel are statedly 
tered, by a Presbyterian clergyman. Baptist and Methodist 
ers are to be met with occasionally. "Che former, in many ins ( 
do not inculcate upon their hearers the importance of observing the 
Sabbath day as holy. Himes _ Neither da they guia ater parents the 
duty of religiously educating their children. The beli of the latter 
is well known. , The religious sentiments of the inhabitants are 
incorreet ; and great stupidity, as it respects a concern f 


et 
» Not only are the inhabitants destitute in a great 1 apn the — 
word preached in its simplicity and purity, but it is a faet much te be 
lamented, that but comparatively few families are, supplied with the 
Bible. Very many, who desire to possess such a treasu D 
how to obtain it. Others there are, who would receive tl as 
a gift, and return their thanks for it; who, unless supplied. in this. 
way, would probably spend their liyes without reading.a or 
searcely knowing that there is such a book extant. It e 


* See Appendix, H, 


25 


labour indeed, to ascertain precisely the number of Bibles wanted ima 
State or Territory, that every destitute family might be supplied. We 
can assert with safety, that but comparatively few are possessed of 
them" 

- At the mouth of the Cumberland river, there is a settlement of ten 
or twelve families. A person, who had resided there a number of 
years, observed, that very few if any of the families were supplied 
with the sacred Scriptures. A man, who had lived on the west bank 
of the Mississippi, some distance below the mouth of the Ohio, stated, 
that there were twelve or fourteen families settled near him; and it 
was his opinion, that there was not a Bible in any of their houses.— 
This settlement is composed principally of emigrants from the States. 
With respect to other religious books, but few ean be found in the 
possession of the inhabitants. And a part of those are better caleu- 
lated to disseminate error than the truth. , 

The country generally from the falls of the Ohio to Natehez is 
thinly settled. This circumstance renders it inconvenient for the 
people to support schools. And it is not unfrequently the ease, that 
they know not the value of such institutions, even where they have 
ability to support them. The education of children therefore, is very 
much neglected ; the few Spanish and French inhabitants, who reside 
on either bank of the Mississippi, are, if possible, more destitute of 
religious instruction than the Americans. 

Perhaps the best means of giving religious instruction to the peo- 
ple in this distriet of country, is the distribution of Bibles and Reli- 
gious Tracts. These might be committed to the care of certain gen- 
tlemen, who would make a judicious distribution of them; and who 
oceasionally descend the Ohio and the Mississippi rivets to New Or- 
leans. When we went on board the boat at the falls of the Ohio, 
we took with us a quantity of English Bibles, French Testaments, 
and Religious Traets. A part of each was distributed to the desti- 
tute poor on the banks, as we passed down. We had many applica- 
tions for the sacred Scriptures, with which we could not comply. 
Some of the people asserted, that they never had an opportunity to 
purehase the Bible at any price; though they had been long anxious 
to obtain it. Others were evidently too poor to furnish themselves 
without much ineonvenience. The Bible was received by many, to 
whom it was presented, with an eagerness, which induced us to be- 
pees that it would prove “ a lamp to their feet, and a light to their 

th? ‘ 

Before we left the falls, we received a box of 500 French Testa~ 
ments: More than 250 copies, we directed to the care of Stephen 
Hempsted, St. Louis. Seventy five copies were sent to the care of 
the Rev: Mr. Scott of Vincennes. A number of copies were directed 
to a friend at Gallipolis, Ohio; and a few to Mr. Dufour, of Vevay, 
a French Swiss settlement in the Indiana Territory. We wrote to 
the gentlemen, to whom the Testaments were sent, stating from 
whence they came, and the manner in whieh they were to be distrib- 
uted: requesting them to inform us by letter of the manner in which 
the Testaments were ‘received.* At New Madrid, we ascertained 


* See Appendis, I. 


that there are between forty and er hat 
We were informed, that generally m rh f 
read. As far as we could learn, none ‘of ther a pphi 
with the Bible or Testament. We left a number « 
distribution. There was a Freneh school. Gnatheasaallegs sand she 


ospect was, that the Testaments would. We 
Tet anumber of copies for another settlement, ( 
Madrid on the bank of the river. We direeted “sent 


to Ozark, a Freneh village, containing bet 
lies, situated on the bank of the Arkansas severe o-m nar 
its mouth. Without doubt much good will be 
tion of the Testaments among the people. In addition to themoral 
and religious instruction, which we may reasonably expeet they will 
derive from the sacred volume, numbers Pl a 
read, by means of this seasonable supply. 
were thankfully received. A more prea res dleiechahions vadeanes 
bai reason to behiavey: would be attended with a Sapeantanis 
te Bd) pian oy 
P. Ss. Feb. 44, Bead Sir, we nations here on. the 6th inst. in 
good health and spirits. The Lord is pleased to-deal 
ly with us. We were for some time apprehensive, ' 
state of this country might embarrass us, im sacalesaatannet 
our mission. But General Jackson has defeated and repulsed: the 
British. They are stilt, however, hovering about the-coast, and seem 
to meditate another attack—at what point is» 
But we hope we shall be permitted to attend toe the business 
Master’s kingdom without molestation. On our arriv. 
the French Testaments consigned to this place had : 
Mr. Mills therefore proceeded immediately to Neve-Apelantiapn eal 
if any had arrived there, that we might commence the distribution of 
them. May sbei Lord prapart the hearts of the Freneh'to reeeive 
theme 8) ret hth Sanepertos 
ri co gmt > teenie itt ie tea seed 2 
VADs View of the Mississippt Territoryss = 


New a 
“Reverend and Paipecint Friend,—We nave reamed tbaieeganiaas 
aceount of the religious state of the Micdenipye Perri 
a very interesting field for missionary labour. .. With e 
about 45,000, it has only four Presbyterian olers ymer 
their labours among ten congregations. . They 
excellent spirit. The Baptist denomiuation have in this Terr 
twenty nine churches; which are supplied by si 
five licensed preachers. The number of persons in their communion 
is more than a thousand. The Methodist society has ten er twelve 
itinerant preachers in the Territory ; and about a thousand members. 
The eity of Natehez is perhaps as important a station for a-mis- 
sionary, as any in the western or southern country. It contains about 
2,500 inhabitants. It has an old Roman Catholie 
ruins, a Methodist, and a new Presbyterian chureh. Some of the 
most respectable inhabitants are very desirous to obtain a Presbyte- 


27 


rian preacher. In erecting the church the Trustees have exhausted 

their resourees ;—and-there is reason to fear, that it will stand unoc- 
_ eupi thatit will be diverted from its original design, and fall 
into the hands of mén unfriendly to the truth. Present prospects in 
that place:are hopeful. When Mr. Smith preached there the audi- 
eneés were large and solemn. . The Trustees of the church proposed 
to address themselves to your Society ; and to request you to send them 
a missionary.* They said they would become responsible for his 
salary ; and if he should be a man of popular talents and of piety, 
they presumed he: would be immediately settled. A suitable person 
sent to this place would supply this church, would promote the in- 
terests of the Bible Society, which now languishes for want of such a 
patron, would become a bond of union to the scattered Presbyterian 
ehurehes and ministers in the Territory, and would probably be the 
means of bringing in many more missionaries and ministers. 

Other portions of this Territory might be pointed out, that afford 
promising fields for missionary labour. ‘The south-western part of © 
it, in particular, deserves immediate attention. The settlements in 
this quarter are very considerable. At Pinckneyville, on the Bayou 
Sara, a number of respectable: gentlemen are very desirous to obtain 
a Presbyterian preacher. They think of erecting a church. And it 
is thought, that they would immediately afford a clergyman an ade- 
quate support. But they have no means of obtaining one; and will 

robably remain for years unsupplied ; unless some one is sent to them 
from the Atlantic States. ' 

» The whole of this Territory is exceedingly destitute of the sacred 
Seriptures... Very few Bibles have ever been distributed init. There 
is indeed at Natchez a pious gentleman who is a bookseller, and keeps 
Bibles on hand for sale. But many of.the people live at a consider- 
able distance from Natchez :—and very many of them are too poor, 
er too indifferent to religion to purchase. Indeed some are even 

ashamed to buy a Bible. When they ask for one at the bookstore, 
they often think it necessary to frame some frivolous apology for their 
conduct. Thedegraded Africans, although there are many individ- 
uals among them that ean read, are almost without exception destitute 
of Bibles. The number of slaves in this Territory is about 20,000. 
And the Bible is almost the only book, that can be cireulated among 
them without offence to their masters. We found on the bank of the 
Mississippi above Natchez, a slave, who seemed to love religion, and 
often recommended it to his comrades. Yet he had no Bible. We 
gave him one, and he received it with strong expressions of joy and 
gratitude. In many other parts of the Territory, there were persons 
who were very anxious to obtain the Scriptures. We could only re- 
fer them to the Mississippi Bible Society, for a supply. 

This institution was established more than two years since, when 
Messrs. Sechermerhorn and Mills visited Natchez. It came into ex- 
istence under favourable auspices. ‘His Excellency Governor Holmes 

Fist Pee , , at 

~ * ‘This request has been received; and in consequence of it, the committee of 
et have determined to send Mr. Smith immediately into that portion of 
the country. Y 


| gubseribed forty dollars towards its funds,and 7 
Its subseriptions amounted to three hundred dollars. — r 
its first formation, it has languished for want/of some active friend to 
attend to its concerns. Such a friend this Society would find)ina 
faithful missionary stationed at Natehez. The Managers have’ in- 
deed distributed one hundred Bibles, presented to them by the New 
York Bible Society, and one hundred and twenty-five, forwarded b 
us, from the Mass. Bible Society. They have likewise prepare¢ 
circulated an interesting Report, caleulated to arouse | e attenti 
the public. But when we were there, they had made novvery ¢on- 
siderable collections of money ; they had purchased no Bibles.» Five 
thousand eopies of the Scriptures, we believe, would not more than 
supply the destitute. Unless therefore some more efficient means'are 
used to enlighten that benighted portion of our country, the day of 
glory will dawn upon the rest of the world, long before’its darkness 
will be dispelled. PM 
ba adh OY oy iy Lust 7 chet aa gltlly Seagal 27 
weaels _ YX. View of Louisiana. 9) 
, are Le oe se een) nates 
; _ Mew Orleans, April 6, 4815. 
Dear Sir,—The State of Louisiana, having lately become an inte- 
gral part of the Union, deserves the attention of the public. It has 
imperious claim on the attention particularly of the religi ec. 
The finger of Providence seems to be pointing this way. 
events in this quarter at once arrest our attention and e 
hopes. We refer to the late wonderful deliverance of this country 
from an invading foe; and to the subsequent distribution of a number 
of English Bibles and French Testaments. Perhaps there was, im the 
wisdom of divine Providence, a more intimate connexion between these 
events, than is obvious to the world. Even the most heedless and 
stupid of the inhabitants cannot but recognise the hand of Godan'the 
salvation of their country—And perhaps they were thereby rendered 
more willing to give a favourable reception to the word of that God, 
who had so lately appeared for them in an hour of peril and distress: 
In 1810 Louisiana eontained 76,556 inhabitants; 34,660 of whom 
were slaves. Since that time its population is doubtless considerab 
increased: but to what amount, we are not able tosay. The in 
pal settlements, out of New Orleans, are the following. 
the Mississippi, extending thirty miles below New Orleans, and above 
to the northernmost boundary of the State, are almost wholly oceu- 
pied by Frenchmen, Acadians and Germans, who speak the French 
language. The settlements in the counties of Attakapas and Opelou- 
sas are very considerable; and have a mixture of French and Amer- 
ican inhabitants. Those on the Red River are chiefly imhabited by 
Americans.—There are in this State twe Methodist circuits; but 
there is no Baptist preacher, as we could ascertain; and out of New 
Orleans,.no Presbyterian minister. A very large portion of the State 
has never, as we could learn, been visited by a Presbyterian preacher. 
Many of the-American inhabitants were originally Presbyteriai 
and very many would rejoice to see a respectable missionary among 
them. It is therefore of immense importance, that souabebeald 


29 


be sent to explore the country and learn its moral and religious state; 
and introduce, as far as possible, the institutions of the gospel. Such 
a man might not only be useful to the Americans; he might exert a 
very salutary influence on the French also. He would doubtless pro- 
mote the farther distribution of the French Seriptures. Religious 
Tracts, in that language, might be very soon circulated among the 
people. And a prudent and diligent use of such means, we have rea- 
son to hope, would result in the happiest consequences. 

In West Florida, the attention of some of the inhabitants was not 
Jong since called to the subject of religion. Many of them solicit for 
Bibles, whenever there is a prospect that they ean be supplied, which 
is very rare. There are some American families, in this part of our 
country, who never saw a Bible, nor heard of Jesus Christ. There 
are some hopefully pious persons, who cannot obtain a Bible or Tes- 
tament. ‘These facts were given us by a religious teacher, who had 
been among the people of whom he spoke. 

New Orleans would no doubt be the principal station of a Mission- 
ary sent into this State. It therefore deserves a description. When 
the census was taken it contained 24,552 inhabitants. At present it 
contains probably 30,000, as many as 12,000 of whom are blacks. 
And whether we consider its population, or its commerce, it ranks 
among the most important cities in the Union. More than half the 
white inhabitants are Frenchmen :—the remainder are Americans, 
from almost all the States ;—and a few foreigners. Until lately the 
Romish religion prevailed to the exclusion of every other. But for 
some years past the city has been occasionally visited, by protestant 
preachers of different denominations. Mr. Chase of the Episcopal 
church was in the eity three or four years, and established an Epis- 
eopal congregation. Mr. Hull, originally from Scotland, supplies 
this congregation at the present time. ‘The only protestant place of 
worship in the city,* is an upper room in a building ereeted and own- 
ed by Mr. Paulding, a pious Baptist. This gentleman has devoted 
this room to the interests of evangelical religion. The state of pub- 
lie morals is extremely deplorable. Sabbath-breaking, profanity and 
intemperance prevail to a fearful extent. Yet there are in the city 
many respectable families, who are the friends of good order and 
morality. And there are some pious persons, who sigh daily for the 
abominations committed there. All these would hold up the hands 
of a faithful minister, as Aaron and Hur did the hands of Moses :— 
and it may be, that the hosts of Israel, though few and scattered, 
through the blessing of God, would prevail. 

The Louisiana Bible Society was established at New Orleans, 
more than two years since, when Messrs. Schermerhorn and Mills 
visited this city. Already has this Society, although its internal re- 
sourees have been small, done much to promote the interests of reli- 
gion, in this State. It has aided in distributing 300 English Bibles, 


_* “© New Orleans, Aug. 1—On Thursday last, the 27th ult. the corner stone of 2 
Protestant Church was laid in this city. We hope that piety and morals will flour- 
ish under the benign influence of the Great Author of all good; that the people 
will acknowledge the great and important truth, that ‘ Zf is righteousness alone that 
exalteth a nation” (N. Eng. Palladium.) 


30 


the donatien of the New York +cednaninien Pvcationnaates ; 4 
has giyen out near 3,000 French New Testaments.* 

Society needs the fostering care and the active services of some mis- 
sionary man. It isa fact that an poy oem 


ly as last March, a Bible in any lanewane i yeteigi thous ies 

or to be given away, in New Orleans. And yet 

would not supply the destitute. in this State. wana 
Our appeal is to the christian public. What shall be done? Shall 

we leave one of our fairest sities to be completely overwhelmed with 

vice and folly? The dreaded inundation of the Mississippi 


not be half so ruinous. Now by divine assistance; 


rier may be opposed to the flood of iniquity. Andis the liberality of 
the christian community exhausted ? Have you no. 


Bibles to give: no 
missionaries to.send? Are there no men of. penta ee 
sire not “ another man’s line of things made ready: rv hands ??? 

indeed.—But 


Then is the ease of this city wretehed and 


surely the ery of some of its citizens must,be: It is earnest 
and importunate. It is continually sounding in our 
some one to break to us the bread of lifes. 6) ee 


Your affectionate friends and fellow servants in the gospel. 
toh dew wmr. 

X. Communication, relative to the distribution of Sagan 
from Mr. a yar wre eestor line 


‘ow Orleans, sper, 


Dear Sir;—You will recollect st Mr. Smith and myself , 11 
at Natchez on the sixth of February. He remained _ 
that place, and the adjacent country, lahqueings to stre 
hae of the righteous few. jolt y ie oe 

came on to this place on the tenth of Februar 
me one hundred and fifty Basleh Bibles, . One "F the, 
the Louisiana Bible Society had on hand ae + pty 1 
two hundred Bibles were ready for distribution, L al 
eit 

Raine circumstances, attending the distribution, of | hese 
be interesting to the Trustees of your Society.—The pri 
which I shall. present, are taken from my journal... ie eileen sbadele 

Feb. 40. This morning I called upon Esq. Hennen;,and coneladed 
at his request, to take lodgings with him for the present. 1 
company with Mr. H. at the publie prison ; there. he three hi rt 
English soldiers in the prison. A number of Bibles ha oe 
since been distributed among them, by one of the. mai nagers 
Society. We found many of them reine with grea at ‘vention and 
seriousness, the copies which had been. furnish 
them some additional supply. They. received the Bibl Bibles aith 
evident expressions of joy and gratitude, We distributed 
them likewise a number of Religious Tracts and Sermons. _ 
turned many thanks for them. “More or less of the soldiers are, J 

ete apn ay 

* For the particulars, we refer you to the pe tr commana ie 
Report of the Louisiana Bible Society. See Appendix, K. 


said, apparently pious men. They informed us, that many of them 
were furnished with Bibles or Testaments, but left them on the 
fleet. In the course of the same day, we called upon Dr. Dow. He 
informed us, that he bad furnished some of the prisoners with a num- 
of Watts’s Psalms, and some other religious books. — RAL | 

‘Phe succeeding day, I called at the United States Hospital, in 
company with Esq. Nicholson. Thére are three hundred men sick 
and wounded, in the Hospital ;—one hundred and eighty are English 
prisoners. Upon examining the several wards, we found that some 
of the prisoners had brought their Bibles from the fleet ; but this was 
rarely the ease. A number of the sick and wounded, both pe 
and Americans, expressed an earnest desire to be possessed of the 
saered Seriptures.—Called at the Navy Hospital, ining about 
forty sick. There was not a Bible among them, as we could learn; 
but more or less will thankfully receive them. We ealled at three 
different places, where a part of the sick soldiers, belonging to the 
Kentueky detachment are quartered. The whole number of siek at 
these houses is one hu and twenty. Many of them received the 
information with great satisfaction, when informed that some of them 
could be furnished with Bibles. This was manifest, from their eoun- 
tenances, and from the numerous applications, which were made for 
this blessed book. In one of the houses, we found a number of the 
sick lying on the floor. One was reading from a New Testament to 
those around him.—They had not a Bible in the house. 

_ On the 12th, In the morning, I called with a friend at the Charity 
Hospital. There are forty sick soldiers at this Hospital, belonging 
to the Tennessee troops. They had not a copy of the sacred Serip- 
tures. A number were very pressing in their solicitations, that we 
would supply them. We observed to them, that they would preb- 
ably soon leave the Hospital for Tennessee; and as they expect- 
ed to travel on foot eight hundred or a thousand miles, they could 
uot earry their Bibles with them, should they be supplied. Some 
of them answered at once, that they would leave some other articles, 
vather than their Bibles. Upon our return, we sent a number of 
Bibles to the hospital. We called at three different places, which we 
visited yesterday, occupied by the sick belonging to the Kentucky de- 
tachment; and distributed among them seventeen Bibles. : 
were thankfally received. The minds of many of the sick appear to 
be solemnly affected. We hope there are some godly persons am 
them. We explained to them the object of the Bible Society; a1 
—_— those who received copies of the Bible, to make a good use 


“43th.” We sent a number of Bibles to a fourth house oceupied by 
about forty siek Kentucky soldiers; and received many thanks for them. 
Visited a house oceupied by the sick troops from Tennessee: there 
were one hundred sick at this house, but not a Bible among them all. 
We left one in each room. Visited the United States Hospital, and 
distributed thirty Bibles among the destitute. Many applications 
were made for the sacred Seriptures, with which we eould not comply. 
It is siekly at the present time. Sinee the sth of January, a great 


32 


morttality has prevailed. ‘I'wenty and even thirty ¢ 
Waive died reg tee ; a a 
“45th. I have ascertained that there are a considerable number of 
the troops belonging to the militia of this State, who are sick in hos+ 
pitals, on the opposite side of the river. It is the impression of many, 
who go to the hospitals, that they shall die in them.” This impres- 
sion perhaps hastens their dissolution in some instances. 
46th. We visited a hospital occupied by the ‘Tennessee troops. 
One hundred are sick at this place. ‘They had no Bibles in the house. 
Found a few leaves of the Old Testament in the ieee: 
the soldiers: Distributed among them fourteen Bibles. ‘They were 
very thankfully received. Rh lin ce inahennineitheniin 
47th. ‘To day there was a meeting of the mana 
Society. They voted their thanks to the societies that had gene 
ly aided them by donations in Bibles. Visited one of the hos 
rayed with and addressed the sick in two of the wards. A siek mar 
from Tennessee appeared to be much exercised in his mind.’ He 
seemed conscious of his ruined state by nature, and of the necessi 
his exercising repentance toward God, and faith in the Lord Jesus 
Christ, in order to obtain the salvation of his soul. ‘The sick appear- 
ed much gratified by the attention paid them. - aw 2h etek 
48th. I visited to day, in company with Mr. N. one of the hos- 
pitals, at which we had previously galled, and in which we had 
left a few copies of the Bible. Some of the men had died since our 
first visit to them; and others had so far recovered as to be able to 
leave the house; and their places had been supplied by the sick, 
brought in from the camp. We found a number of the rooms’eon- 
taining eight or ten sick, without a eopy of the sacred Seriptures. 
Supplied one copy to each room, and received many thanks. — alas 
22nd. I erossed the River to day, and visited the sick soldiers in 
the barracks. In two rooms, there were near ove hundred siek. Tt 
is truly affecting to visit these abodes of disease and death. "Phe sick 
have not generally beds or mattresses. With medieal aid, they are 
tolerably well furnished; still no doubt many of them suffer much, 
for the want of proper attendance. In some instances, when I have 
been addressing the sick in one room; I could hear those in'the room 
adjacent, erying out with great earnestness—Lord, have merey on us:— 
Jesus Christ, have merey on us, J informed those T-visited that there ther 
were some Bibles on hand to be siven to the sick and the destitute. 
There were many applications for them. During my stay at the 
barracks I was at six or eight of the rooms. ‘Chere was not a Bible 
to be found in any of them. I have found unusual freedom, in speak- 
ing to the sick and the dying in the hospitals. ‘They almost uniform- 
ly give very strict attention to what is said; and their tears witness 
for them that they do not remain unaffeeted. God only knows, how 
lasting their serious impressions may be. ‘But from what Thaveseen 
and heard in the hospitals, I am inclined to believe, that some of the 
sufferers have been born again, even on the threshold of the grave. 
Many of the troops, after their arrival im the vicinity of this place, 
were subjected to great fatigue while defending the lines. Many of 
them were standing or lying, for some successive days and nights, in 


a3 
ihe low mentee where the water was near a foot deep. The 
t 


weather some of the time was so cold, as to freeze ice a quarter of an 
imeh in thickness.—Some of the soldiers at this time were but poorly 
elothed—three or four physicians from Kentucky and Tennessee have 
died but a short time since. i 

23d. This morning more than four hundred English prisoners left 
this place. They went on board the steam boat and two sloops which 
were to carry them to the fleet, or the proper vessel prepared to re- 
ceive them lying off the mouth of the river. 
. After their departure, I called at the prison, and obtained leave of 
the keeper, to examine the rooms, which had been vacated by the 
prisoners, in order to ascertain whether any of the Bibles we had dis- 
tributed were remaining in them. But not a Bible had heen left, nor 
the remnant of a Religious Tract. The Prisoners had retained them 
all. The servant informed me that he saw them packing them up in 
their knapsacks, a little time previous to their departure. 

From the manner in which the prisoners received the Bibles, and 
from the care with which they preserved them, we have reason to 
believe, they will be very serviceable to many of them. 

. This morning [ crossed the river to visit the sick soldiers 
in the barracks, now converted into hospitals. There are three hun- 
dred and sixty in the barracks. Some of them are dangerously ill. 
Five or six died the last night. I went into a number of the rooms, 
containing each from thirty to forty sick. In one room at which I 
ealled, there was a corpse lying on the floor, partially wrapped in a 
blanket. One person appeared to be in the agonies of death, appar- 
ently insensible to every thing around him. Others were groaning 
and ealling for assistance. A number came in from the adjacent 
rooms. I addressed those present and prayed with them, they were 
attentive and solemn. In five of the rooms I left ten Bibles. Many 
of them appeared in some measure rightly to estimate the precious 
book.—The gratitude they manifested, upon the reception of the Bi- 
bles, was an ample reward for the exposure and labour attendant on 
furnishing them. Previous to this distribution, there was not a single 
copy of the Bible to be found, as I could learn, among near four hun- 
dred men in the barracks. After leaving the sick now referred te, 
I passed a number of additional rooms, containing sick soldiers, Near 
one of the rooms I observed three dead bodies, wrapped in blankets. 
The deceased died in the same room during the last night. But few 
of the dead I believe are buried in coffins. Before I left the barracks, 
I beeame acquainted with Gen. Morgan, who has the eommand of 
the militia of this State—I saw likewise Dr. G. and Dr. R. who are 
the two principal physicians in this department. They sent 
two men with me to obtain an additional number of Bibles, for 
those rooms which as yet remained unsupplied. I sent back by them 
fern py 3 making in the whole thirty-four distributed in the bar- 
racks. 

I lately visited the camp, occupied by the Kentucky detachment. 
Gen. Thomas informed me, that out of about 2,000 men belonging te 
this detachment, there were at the present time 800 on the sick list. 
The Kentucky troops are not supplied with even a single chaplain, 


BEd 


while there are four attached to the troops from the State of Ten- 
nessee. J have ascertained that SMA ne ccm 
the camp (which is three miles below ener 
diers, which have as yet received no s' 
are I believe naltnenly attentive to the ie newman 
detachments. ot Ne ecealiantap naib” ay itheve 
27th. This morning I crossed the river to bens Seer ge 
racks. Dr. G. introduced me to one of the cr 
wished me to converse with him. The sick, mam pre hope 
that he was made a subject of the renewing grace 
years since. He readily acknowledged his lest and ruined state by 
nature, and professed his confidence in Jesus Christ, as the great 
atoning sacrifice. He remarked that he had ioe 
said he felt happy to be in the hands of a saree 
was willing to be at his disposal. He pro essed the fullest confidence 
in the rectitude of the divine government, and would endeavour to 
trust in the Lord. He added that he had an aged and infirm mother, 
who looked to him for support and consolation; and if it-should 
please heaven, he could wish to recover, in hopes 
sorrows, as she descended into the vale of years. After conversing 
with the sick man, I addressed those present. A number came in 
from the adjoining rooms. We sang and closed with prayer. . The 
season was a very solemn one,—many were in tears: © 
March 4st. ‘To day I crossed the river to visit the sick» During 
my stay, preached to more than 200 of the soldiers, who were able to 
assemble. The meeting was a solemn and interesting one. Dr. G. 
and Dr. R. expressed their thanks for the attention paid to those un- 
der their care. They wished to have their thanks presented to the 
managers of the Bible Societies, who had furnished them with the 


sacred Seriptures. ee 
One of the chaplains belonging to the Tenuessee detachment ine 

formed me lately, that most of the intemperate 

had died since they came here; his expression was, The hard drink- 

ers are nearly all gone. Lm 9 ote. Bena 


5th. To day I visited one of the hospitals. The soldiers had so far 
recovered from their sickness, as to be able to join their fellows in the 
camp. s wait he ores 

The hospital is now principally oceupied, by the needy 
from the eity. The soldiers who have left the hospite 
their Bibles with them, and there are a number of needy peopleiin it, 
without any supply. Lo pial ereenepte cope 2 

7th. I ealled to day at one of the houses ‘oceupied: by the Ken- 
tucky sick soldiers. Some of them have been a long time sick, but 
appear to be recovering. Numbers are. still dangerously ill; they 
lie around the floor in all directions—some roanipg and some pray- 
ing ;—they however gave very strict and solemn attention, while I 
addressed them and prayed with them. It was the first serious ad- 
dress and prayer, that numbers of them had heard a 
home, and perhaps for years.— When I was about leaving the room, 
one of the men, as he lay on the floor, reached out his : 
ing mine, exclaimed,“ God bless you—God bless you.” I entered into 


35 


conversation with him ; and ascertained, that’ for some time past he 
had entertained a hope that he had been born again. After convers- 
ing with him freely, I left him with a request to examine himself as 
in the presence of the heart-searching God, who could not be deceived 
and would not be mocked. What will be the result of exertions to 
relieve the wretched in these abodes of misery—these cages of des- 
pair, God only knews. He hath the hearts of all men in his hands, 
and here our hopes rest. 

»4oth. To day, in company with Mr. Smith, I called at one of 
the hospitals, and made some inquiries respecting the Bibles, which 
had been left there some time since. There were two rooms contain 
ing the sick; only one Bible was remaining in each. 

» 44th. This morning I rede down to the Kentucky camp. The Gen- 
erals, Adair and Thomas, accompanied me. I had made a previous 
appointment to preach at the camp at ten o’clock, a.m. The notice 
had been given to the soldiers, and arrangements made. The place 
for preaching was in the open field. A platform was prepared for the 
speaker to stand on, raised six or eight feet from the ground. A large 
eongregation was collected in a short time. As many as eight hun- 
dred or a thousand soldiers were present. They behaved with great 
propriety during the service—were solemn and attentive. 

From the preceding account you will perceive, that we have reason 
to believe, the circulation of the Bibles among the suffering soldiers, 
was blessed to the spiritual benefit of many. We sincerely regret 
that there was not a greater quantity of Bibles at the disposal of the 
managers of the Bible Society.. When the militia of this State were 
discharged, many of them called for Bibles to carry home with them. 
They came eight or ten in a company. These poor men, who had 
been jeopardizing their lives, on the high places of the field, in the 
defence of their country—whose health, in many instances, had been 
destroyed by the fatigues they endured—and some of whom were 
doubtless destined to fall by the way on their return to their homes, 
—requested that they might be furnished with Bibles. We in- 
formed them, that not a copy could be obtained. The deep re- 
gret, which they manifested on receiving this information, convinced 
us that they were sincere, well-meaning petitioners, and excited in 
our breasts emotions not to be described. But with an aching heart 
we sent them empty away, as we had done many of their fellows, 
who had previously applied. 

We earnestly hope, that some more effieient means will be soon 
entered upon, which will meet the necessities of the destitute poor in 
this part of our country. Yours atfeetionately, &c. 


~ XL Communication, peliittes to the distribution of French Testaments, 
° from Mr. Mills. 


Philadelphia, June 6, 1815. 


Dear Sir,—The facts stated in this paper were contained in the 
report we made to the Philadelphia Bible Society. They give a 
partial view of the manner in which the French Testaments were 
received by the Roman Catholics in New Orleans, and its vicinity. 


‘solicitations for the sacred book. For some sueeessive € 


36 


As has already been stated, L reached. that place on the tenth of Feb- 
ruary. I wea ascertained that the rien rete Pee bord 
directed to the care of the managers of the Louisiana Bible, So 
ety, had been received. But none of them had at that time been of 
fered to the people. A few copies were given out, on the day 1 
rived in the place. The puecseding ree aa additional number was 
distributed. iol 

The day following, February tw elfth, tedbe num Jes 
tute, who made application for a supply, very mue 
nine o’elock a.m. to one v.m. the door of the distributor was thronged 
with from fifty to one hundred persons. ‘Those who apenas 
all ages and of all colours. ‘They were literally elamo: 


plicants became still more numerous. Ina week after. the listrit u- 
tion of the Testaments commenced, one thousand copies were given 
out. Some of those who requested a supply came p 

chase them. They remarked to the distributor that they must have a. 
supply by some means. ‘The Principal of the College, and.a number 
of the instructors of the publie sehools in the citys, presented written 
statements, containing a list of the schelireyiseuicoedhainansnsety 
would make a profitable use of the Testaments, cou id the ehari 
extended to them. These statements were respe 

the distributor, with a request that as many of Slip dohatanouieniigheees 
supplied, as was consistent-with the views of the managers of the 


Society. Their solicitations were in most cases —— 
'  Pére Antonio, a leading character in the Rom: olie ehurehy 


in the city, very readily aided in the circulation of the Testaments 
among his people. Some more than two years ibles 
engaged to assist in the distribution of French Bi and Testaments. 
Soon after I arrived in the city I called upon him, in é 

Mr. Hennen. We informed him that the Tes’ 
ceived from the managers of the Philadelphia Bible Societys and 
presented him with a number of copies. He expressed great, satis- 
faction, and repeatedly invoked the blessing of God on the: donors, 
He observed that God would certainly bless the generous, pious. meny 


‘who had exerted themselves to give to the destitute his holy »words 


He expressed his desire to obtain an additional number of ; 
engaged that he would make the most judicious distribution of them 
in his power. He remarked that he would give them» to those, per- 
sons, who would be sure to read them through. » splhatbad webe . 
After our visit to Antonio, his attendant called for two or three 
copies of the Testament. The man who attends at the cathedral was 
anxious to receive one. His choir of singers perry requested a 
supply. to oom) eee 
Soon after the distribution of the Beeimesiie deanna Mr. 
Hemen ealled ypon Mr. Du Bourg, the administrator of the Bishop- 
ric, and ee him that the Testaments, printed by the managers 
of the Philadelphia Bible Society, had been received; and that some 
copies had been given to the people. The Bishop observed, that he 
had been made acquainted with the circumstance by som 
ple, who had called upon him to ascertain, whether he would advise 


37 


them to receive the Testaments. He added, that as they were not of 
the version authorized by the Catholie chureh, he could not aid in 
the. distribution of them. When the distribution of the Testaments 
in the Convent was suggested, the Bishop remarked, that the parents 
of the chi who received instruction at that place, were at liberty 
to furnish them if they thought best. _ I had myself an interview with 
the Bishop; during our conversation, he expressed to me his regret 
that the Roman Catholic version of the Testament, printed in Boston 
in 4840, had not been followed, rather than the version printed by the 
British and Foreign Bible Society. He observed however, that he 
should prefer to have the present version of the Testament in the 
possession of the people, rather than have them remain entirely ig- 
norant of the sacred Scriptures. I here state one or two incidents 
whieh oceurred, as related by the Bishop, connected with the cireula- 
tion of the Testaments.—A poor woman of his flock called on him, 
and handing him one of the Testaments—apparently with great anxie- 
ty, addressed him in the following manner: Good Father, what book 
is this? 'The Bishop looking at it replied, Why, my child, it is the 
history of the Evangelists—it is the Gospel. 1 know that, replied 
the woman; bat is it a book you would recommend to your people? 
Said the Bishop, It is a Protestant version; it is as Calvin would 
have translated it. Good Father, replied the woman, keep the book, 
keep the book! My child, sess the Bishop, you may retain the 
hook, if you please. Read it with eare; and should you find any 
thing contrary to the Catholic faith, you will bear-in mind that it is 
a Protestant version. 

Miss J. one of the Nuns, called upon the Bishop somewhat agi- 
tated, She bad been reading the Testament. Her mind was perplex- 
ed by the expression, in the summary of the first chapter of the First 
Bpistle of St. John : “ Et la confession de nos péchés a Dieu ;” and 
the confession of our sins to God. She had been taught that the con- 
fession of our sins was to be made to the priest; or rather to God, as 
the Roman Catholics say, through or by the priest. She inquired 
what could be intended by the expression, confession of our sins to 
God. He informed her that the translation was a Protestant one, 
and that the expression she referred to was prefixed to the chapter 
by the translator. The Bishop remarked to me that he thought it 
not proper, that any explanations of the contents of the chapters should 
be prefixed to either Bibles or Testaments, designed for circulation 
among the Roman Catholics. vy 

As early as the first of March, fifteen or sixteen hundred eopies of 
the Testaments had been given out. Many of those who applied for 
them were very earnest in their requests. Some of them said, that 
they came in from the country, and could not be denied; and some of 
them, that they had made repeated applications, without success. 
Some wished the Testaments for themselves; some for a son or a 
daughter, and some were anxious to obtain a copy for each of their 
children. It was frequently the ease, that numbers would remain a 
considerable time at the door of the distributor, after notiee was given 
that no more Testaments would be given out until the sueceeding day. 
Many applications were made by people of colour. We found that a 


38 


much greater proportion of them, both old and young; could read in- 
telligibly, than has generally a0 eet geome fone Vn dR RRs 
‘A little previous to the attack of the Eh Driear 
three or four hundred free people of eolour were organized into’e 
panies, for the defence of that place. A number of these men cat 
for copies of the Testament. One of them wished to know, whether 
the officers of the companies, with whom he was connected, might be 
furnished each with a copy. He was answered in the affirmative, 
and informed that many of the privates could also ‘be’ supplied. 
He expressed much surprise, that so many ‘Testaments should be given 
away. He inquired from whence they came—whether they were the 
sift of the Legislature of the State, or of the General Government. 
Ee was informed that they were sent on by the managers of the Bible 
Society of Philadelphia. The object of the Society was explained to 
him. ‘The gratuitous distribution of the Seriptures is a om oe 
in this part of our country, that it excites much surprise. T is 
probably a mueh greater proportion of the French people able to read, 
than has generally been supposed. ‘The 5000 Testaments will fur- 
nish but a very partial supply. a hl 
Mr. K. one of the managers of the Bible Society, i ned me, that 
an elderly woman, a Roman Catholic, ealled on him for a Testament. 
- She remarked to him that she was very anxious to read it, and had 
applied several times to the Distributor for a eopy, but without sue- 
eess. Mr. K. obtained one for her; she received it with tears of joy. 
She informed him, that when a girl her father had a book, which he 
valued much, and which he used to keep in a private ‘manner. She - 
thought it was the Bible—and for a long time had been desirous of 
obtaining it. She remarked, that now she had such a book as her 
father used to have. sana pm anne Rs 
Soon after my arrival at New Orleans, I had some conversation 
with a respectable planter, a Roman Catholic, respecting’ the ‘eireu~ 
lation of the Testaments. He remarked to me, that he did not think 
a good Catholic had any occasion to read the Bible. Before I left 
that place, I ascertained that he had perused some portions of the 
Testament. And he informed a friend of his; that what he had read 
exeited in his mind many reflections. A woman and her daughter 
came in from the Bayou St. John, two miles; from the eity.. She in- 
formed the Distributor, that she had heard that there were Bibles and 
Testaments to be given to the destitute, and that she was y dis- 
posed to credit the report. She concluded, however, she would “Come: 
and see,”? ‘ $a RMAT 
In the Spring of 1914, eight or ten thousand of the inhabitants of 
St. Domingo eame to this part of our country. Most of them remain- 
ed in New Orleans. Many of them are about to return to St. Do- 
mingo, and will take with them the Testaments, where the saered 
Scriptures have rarely if ever been introduced. Some copies have 
been sent to the Havanna on the island of Cuba. SN a 
On the first of April, in company with a friend, I set out upon a 
visit to the Attakapas country. We proceeded up the east bank of the 
Mississippi about eighty miles; then erossed the river and went ina 
westerly and south westerly direction, between fifty and sixty miles. 


39 


into the eountry. We often called at the houses by the way, distrib- 
uted a number of Testaments in different parts of the country, and in- 
formed the people that a quantity had been sent on for gratuitous 
distribution by the Philadelphia Bible Seciety, and where they 
might apply to obtain them. 4! I 7 
Have we not reason to hope, that in this region and shadow of 

death, the true light is beginning to shine P May it shine more and 
more until the perfect day. © t 

For further particulars relative to the distribution of the Testa- 
ments, we refer you to the Report of the Louisiana Bible Society.* 


XIE. Communication, respecting Spanish Testaments; addressed to 
one of the Managers of the Philadelphia Bible Society. 


. Philadelphia, June 1, 1815. 

Dear Sir,—In compliance with the request of the managers of your 
Society, communicated in your note of yesterday, we with pleasure 
present to them the information of which we are possessed, with res- 
pect to the destitute condition of the Spanish Roman Catholies in 
the State of Louisiana. During our stay in New Orleans, and 
while the French Testaments were cireulating among the people; 
inquiries were frequently made for the Spanish Testament or Bi- 
ble.. It was the opinion of a number of gentlemen of information, 
that some hundreds of copies of the Testament might be readily dis- 
tributed among the Spaniards, with a prospect that they would be 
gratefully received, and extensively useful. There are some exten- 
sive Spanish settlements in different parts of the State; but we have 
not heen able to make out any satisfactory estimate of the number of 
Spanish inhabitants. There are many families on the Bayou La 
Fourche. Natchitoches on the Red river is partly settled by them, 
and there are a number of families in the vicinity of that place. We 
were informed that some hundreds of copies might probably be sent 
into New Spain, by the way of Natchitoches. Within the limits of 
Louisiana, five hundred copies of the Spanish Testament might prob- 
ably be very soon distributed, and in a very satisfactory manner. 
Antonio de Sedilla (referred to in the preceding communication) ex- 
pressed his readiness to aid in the distribution of the Spanish Testa- 
ments, within the limits of the State, should any number of copies 
be committed to his care for the purpose. He engaged likewise, 
should he be furnished with any considerable quantity, that he would 
send some to Havanna and some to Campeachy. hin 

The, Rev: Father has it in his power no doubt, to aid the cireula- 
tion of the Seriptures in these places, aud in other portions of Span- 
ish America. ‘The inhabitants of Cuba and of Campeachy have gen- 
erally been esteemed very bigoted. If therefore the Testaments were 
permitted to circulate freely in these places, it is most likely that 
there would be no portion of the West Indies, or of Spanish country 
in North or South America, where the distribution of them would be 
forbidden. It is well known that many Provinces, formerly subject to 
the Spanish government, are at the present time in possession of the 
Reyolutionists. No order of the Romish church could prevent the 


* See Appendix, K. 


40 


circulation of the sacred Scriptures in these provinees. res 

is certainly a very favourable opportunity for sending them to the 
places already named. Father Antonio informed us, tha prs crs 

of the Spaniards could read. He said that they were require by the 

priests to read certain books made use of in their it Seth 5 bat that 

they were not supplied with the sacred Seriptures, of either the Old 

or New Testament. iat sBI¥3 ‘ 

As this paper presents to you the facilities for eireulating the Span- 
ish Testament not only within the limits of Louisiana, but y among 
the inhabitants of Cuba, New Spain and Campeaehy 3 and of the ad- 
jacent countries; we would recommend that 1000 copies at least 
should be procured as speedily as possible, and direeted to the eare of 
the managers of the Louisiana Bible Society, either for gratuitous dis- 
tribution, or in part for sale, as you shall think proper. ; 

We shall close this communicatin with one or two extraets from 
our journals, relating to this subject. New Orleans, Tuesday 24 Feb. 
4815. A gentleman called for a French Testament this morning, 
and remarked to Mr. Hennen that a few years sinee he was at Vera. 
Cruz. While lying by at that port with his vessel, a Spaniard eame 
on board, and observing an English Testament wished to know the 
price of it. The gentleman informed him that it was not for sale. 
The Spaniard was very anxious to have the owner set a price upon 
it. He said he could read English and had been anxious a long time 
to obtain a Bible or Testament. The gentleman at length let him 
have it at a moderate price. The Spaniard remarked that if he had 
charged him twenty dollars, or more than that sum, he would have 

iven it. aes 

The vessel in which Mr. Smith sailed from New Orleans put into 
Havanna in distress. Extracts from his journal while lying there. 
Harbour of Havanna, April 25, 1815. I hoped I should have an 
opportunity of making particular inquiries respecting the religious 
state of this eity and island. But the excessive jealousy of these 
Dons has prevented. As soon as we entered the harbour a soldier 
was placed on board and the passengers were forbidden to go on shore. 
I have however walked through the principal streets of the eity, and 
visited most of the churches. But I did not think it pradent to make 
many inquiries. I have only conversed with an American g entleman 
who has resided here many years, and a respectable Spanish mer- 
chant. They agree in opinion that the city and suburbs contain 130,000 
inhabitants. They are almost all Spaniards, and of course Roman Cath- 
olies. If one might judge from the appearance of their eharches on 
the Sabbath, there is no great attention even to the Romish religion 
among them. Their churehes are very splendid, but the worshippers 
are few. The number of churches is five or six. There are four or 
five convents of Nuns, and several orders of Monks. How the Span- 
ish Bible would be received, it is impossible to say; but that there is 
the greatest need of it is certain. The Spanish merchant I mentioned, 
told me that there were very few or no Bibles among the ple 5 but 
he said, there were a great many other books. It is a cr there- 
fore that many of the Spanish can read. And it was his opinion that - 
many of them would be glad to obtain the Scriptures. 

We are, dear Sir, with sentiments of esteem, yours, &e. 


44 
XIU. Communication, respecting the distribution of Religious Tracts. 


. Andover, ( Mass.) June .26, 1815. 
Dear Sir, 

In some of our previous communications, we have mentioned the 
distribution of Religions Tracts, conveyed into the western country 
by us. This was a very interesting part of our business, and de- 
serves to be more particularly noticed. 

When we started on the mission, we had at our disposal fifteen 
thousand Religious Tracts, of the selection published by the New 
England Tract Society. _ This Society had at that time, (although it 
was established but a few months before,) printed fifty different 
Tracts, on as many interesting, moral and religious subjects. All this 
variety we had with us. We had also a large quantity of sermons 
and pamphlets: among which were the following :-— 

Dr. Livingston’s Missionary Sermon. 


Dr. Dwight’s do. + et oie 
~ (at the ordination of the 
‘atl bisa do. Foreign Missionaries. 
Dr. Woods’s do. ~ before the Mass. Miss. Society. 
Dr. Worcester’s do. 
occasioned by the death of 
Dr. Bogue’s do. Rev. Messrs. Cran, Brain, 
: - {and Des Granges, in India. 
Dr. Alexander’s do. 
Mr. Horne’s de. 
Mr. Emerson’s do 


Dr. Griffin’s Charity Sermon. 
Mr. Church’s Sermon. , 
Mr. Beecher’s Sermon preached at Hartford. 
Mr. Beecher’s Sermon preached at New Haven. 
Mr. Payson’s Discourse before the Bible Society of Maine. 
Dr. Muir’s Address to the Bible Society of ert snite 
’ on the importance of reviving gos- 
Seer eemerre yn ddrans 3o disaipliad in the churches. 
Mr. Emerson’s Catechism. 
Dr. Watts’s do. . 
Address on the evils of Intemperance, by the Fairfield Assoc. 
Constitutions of moral and religious charitable Societies. 
Reports of the Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. 
' Reports of the Bible Society of Philadelphia. ' 
Horne’s Letters on Missions. 
Memoirs of Mrs. Harriet Newell, [50 copies. | 


We were supplied with a considerable number of copies of each of 
the above pamphlets, and of many others. And we generally left a 
complete set of the Tracts, and many of the Sermons, with the cler- 
gymen we called upon; and when an opportunity presented, we sent 
them to others upon whom we could not call. Neither the Tracts 
nor the Sermons were in the possession of any of the clergymen west 
of the mountains, with whom we became acquainted, until they were 

6 


42 


supplied by us. ‘They expressed themselves highly gratified, upox 
receiving so many recent publications, so well caleulated to mak 
them acquainted with the signs of the.times. It is-hardly y ssible t 
conceive how destitute of this kind of information, resp abl 
people, and even clergymen are. There is but one religi 
publication, in all the western country. <A religious ne 
published at Chillicothe, (Ohio) by the Rev. Mr. Andrew. 


But now they are eagerly looking toward the East ; and eatel ing e 
first dawning rays of the Sun of righteousness, soon to arise and bless 
the nations. . AG pis rene 
On our way from Lexington to Louisville, in Kentucky, we ealled 
on a glergyman of our acquaintance. We had eeriene Yalan with 
him a number of interesting papers, respecting Missionary, Bible, and 
Tract Societies. His views of such institutions appeare to be much 
enlarged. He was particularly pleased with the Tracts, as a means 
of domg good. He had been preaching to his Con grea respect- 
ing these institutions; and had frequently introduced into his dis- 
courses large extracts from the pamphlets, we had put into his Maude 
This information he said was highly interesting to his people. Often 
were they very much affected by it—even to tears. On one oceasion, 
after he had been reading a Tract, an honest Dutchman eame for- 
ward, and said, he wished to borrow that book; and he would have 
it translated into his own language, for the benefit of those who cou 
not read English, The request was readily granted ; and the Trae 
entitled, “ The Dairyman’s Daughter,” was put into the Dutchman °s 
hand for translation. sundry 
For further interesting particulars, respecting the distribution of 
the Tracts, we must refer you to letters we have received from gen- 
tlemen in the western country.* % 
The Tracts were disposed of as follows : “he 
Sent to Dr. Coffin, East Tennessee, — - mate 
Left with gentlemen in Ohio, for distribution 


- 7 

in the Indiana Territory = - os 90 

in the Illinois Territory - = 7 600 
in the Missouri Territory - = - 600 
in Kentucky - - - = 2,500 
in West Tennessee - - ~~ = 700 
‘in the Mississippi Territory & Louisiana 1,500 

Distributed byus =: - = 2 = = - 5,000 


153000 


A number of gentlemen at Lexington, Ken. expressed a wish, that - 
there might be an edition of the Memoirs of Mrs. Newell printed in 


* See Appendix, G. 


. 


45 


that place. If permission could be obtained of the proprietor at Bos- 
ton, they engaged to go forward with the work, and secure the profits 
of the edition, to aid some religious charitable object. Permission 
has been obtained ; and by this means we. hope this interesting work 
will soon be extensively circulated, in the western and southern coun 


XIV. Communication, respecting French Tracts. 


Andover, June 29, 1815. 

Rev. Sir,—During our stay in New Orleans, our minds were machi 
impressed with the importance of circulating Religious Tracts in the 
French language. Men of information, and those who have long 
been familiar with the French inhabitants of the State of Louisiana, 
requested us with great earnestuess, to aid this object as far as we had 
ability. There are very few religious books or pamphlets to be 
found in their possession. A number of the Tracts, published by the 
New England Tract Society, were they translated into the French 
language, and sent into that country, would no doubt be eagerly sought 
after, and of infinite use among the people. 

There are some considerations, which seem to urge this subject 
upon the attention of the religious public. The French people, Ger- 
mans, Acadians and Spaniards, who compose a considerable part of 
the population of that State, have many of them of late years been 
fast inclining to intemperate habits. It was stated to one of us by a 
Roman Catholie priest, that previously to 1803, when the Americans 
took possession of that country, the people were in the habit of mak- 
ing use only of light wines; or that very little spirituous liquor was 
used among them. But since that time, the number of intemperate 
persons has greatly increased. In addition to the large quantities of 
whiskey, brought down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, from the 
western States, the people are now in the habit of making from the 
sugar cane what they call tafia, a kind of liquor similar in its effeets 
to New England rum. The priest remarked, that if we wished to 
see some of the evils of the intemperance, which prevails especially . 
among the Americans, we might visit the grave yard at the mouth of 
the Bayou la Fourche, and we should find that a number of Americans 
were interred there, who had not lived out half their days; and who 
were killed by hard drinking. Not only have the Americans intro- 
duced great quantities of spirituous liquers, among the inhabitants of 
this southern country; but they are continually by their example 
leading them down to the pit. The boatmen, who pass up and down 
the river, are many of them vicious ; and particularly addicted to in- 
temperance. ‘They have frequent intercourse with the inhabitants on 
the bank of the river, whose morals are seldom improved by this con- 
nexion. 

The circulation of Religious Tracts, presenting the evils of intem- 
perance, in the French and English languages, would, it is believed, 
be one of the best means that could be employed, to remedy the evil. 
At the present time, their case is every day becoming more alarming, 
and still not a hand is raised, not an effort is made te check the grow- 
ing evil. 


44: 

- "The Sabbath is generally profaned by the inhabitants of ——. 
try. They seem not to know, that the Lord hath said, Remember 
Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Much of the vice and ignorance which 
prevails among them, is owing no doubt to their pr ion of this 
sacred day. If Tracts could be put into their hands, presenting the 
awful sanctions of the holy Sabbath, and enjoining the observance of 
its sacred duties; in many instances we have reason to believe, a 
happy reformation would be effected. i) Se 

Other Tracts, presenting the importance of giving moral and reli- 
gious instruction to the rising generation, would be highly beneficial. 
—At present there are thousands of children, who grov without 
being taught to read. Formerly, there was an influence exe din this 
country, anfavourable to the education of the rising generation. At 
present, we believe, no considerable obstacles would present. It is . 
principally owing to the negligence of the people, that schools are 
not established, and crowded with the youth of both sexes. — Some of 
the Roman Catholics expressed an earnest desire, to provide their 
children with proper instruction. As soon as this disposition becomes 
general, they will be able to establish and support schools. = 

We believe, that Tracts on each of these subjects would be cireu- 
lated by the Roman Catholic priests, and re with pleasure and 
profit by the people. A variety of moral and religious subjects might 
be treated of in the Tracts sent into this part of our country. Any 
thing of the kind will be novel and interesting to most of the inhabi- 
tants, and calculated to enlarge the minds, inform the understandings, 
and correct the practices of those who are our brethren, and have pe- 
culiar elaims upon our friendly notice —Certain gentlemen of our ac- 
quaintance in New Orleans, gave encouragement that they would 
translate some of the Tracts into the French language, if any means 
could be provided to defray the expense of printing them. 

Yours most affectionately, &e. 


XV. Evertions on our return to New England. — 


Andover, July 4, 4815. 

Dear Sir,—As soon as the interesting business, on which we visit- 
ed New Orleans, was accomplished, we hasted to return to sur na- 
tive land. The restoration of peace had opened the communication 
by sea. We thought it therefore not a duty to incur the fatigue and 
expense of travelling by land, from one extremity of the U. States almost 
to the other. The season was already far advanced. The weather 
in that latitude was excessively hot, and would be so on our whole 
journey. We concluded to return by sea. But then we wished, al- 
though we had no instructions to that effect, to visit as many of the 
southern cities as possible. Our object was, to endeavour to exeite a 
spirit of liberality in the Atlantie States, and to turn the attention of 
the public, toward our western borders. We therefore waited a little 
for a passage to Savannah or Charleston. In the mean time Mr. 
Mills made an excursion of 150 miles into the Attakapas country, 
lying on the Gulf of Mexico, west of the Mississippi. Some of the 
French Testaments were to be distributed there. It was also very 


45 


desirable that the western settlements of Louisiana should be explor- 
ed. Mr. Mills had an interesting tour. But while he was gone, an 
opportunity presented of obtaining a passage to Charleston. Mr. 
Smith embraced it ;—embarked on the eighth of April, and arrived 
safely in Charleston, after a tedious and somewhat hazardous voyage 
of twenty seven days. Here Mr. Smith had an opportunity of pre- 
senting the state of the western country, to a numerous audience col- 
leeted for the purpose, from the different congregational and Presby- 
terian churehes in the city. The deep interest manifested by the 
a on this occasion, is a pledge that they will yet do something, 
or the relief of their brethren in the west. In addition to the reli- 
gious and charitable societies, that already existed in that eity, exer- 
tions were making for the formation of a religious Tract Society.* 
The excellent Dr. Ramsey, it is said, was engaged in this business, 
on the very morning that he was assassinated. From Charleston, 
Mr. Smith sailed to Philadelphia. 

Mr. Mills embarked at New Orleans, on the 30th of April, and 
arrived at Baltimore, on the 2ist of May. During his stay there, he 
conversed with some of the managers of the Baltimore Bible Society, 
and obtained frem them encouragement, that they would make a do- 
nation of Bibles, in favour of some portion of the western country. 

We met again at Philadelphia. Soon afterwards we saw the man- 
agers of the Philadelphia Bible Society together; and reported to 
them the suecess of our agency in the distribution of the French Tes- 
taments. We gave them likewise the result of our inquiries, res- 
pecting the practicability of supplying the Spanish inhabitants of 
Louisiana, and of the adjacent countries, with the sacred Scriptures. 
At Philadelphia, we ascertained that the managers of the Bible Soci- 
ety, in consequence of representations we had made to them respect- 
ing the state of the western country, had voted a donation of 100 Bi- 
bles and 200 Testaments to the Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri Ter- 
ritories respectively. This generous donation has been forwarded 
aceordingly.—We also addressed a note to Mrs. Ralston, President 
of the Female Bible Society, representing the state of New Orleans, 
with respect to a supply of the Seriptures. In consequence of which, 
the ladies who compose the board of managers, in that Society, de- 
termined to send 100 Bibles immediately to New Orleans. 

At New Providence, N. J. Mr. Smith attended a meeting of the 
New Jersey Missionary Society. He gave the Board, at their re- 
quest, the information of which we were possessed respecting the 
Cherokee Indians—and also urged upon their notice the Territories 
north of the Ohio, as missionary stations. ‘This hoard is ready to 
support a missionary among the Cherokees, if a suitable person can 


* Extract of a letter, from a friend in Charleston; dated, Aug. 25, 1815. “1 
have to convey to you, the gratifying intelligence, that since your departure from our 
city, we have succeeded in forming a Tract Society. Dr. Flinn is President. One 
hundred dollars have already been sent to Boston, to procure Tracts. So soon as 
they arrive, committees will be appointed to distribute them, in the most advanta- 
geous manner. The female members are to form part of the distributing committee, 
as generally speaking, they have more frequent opportunities of finding destitute ob» 
jects.” ( : 


46 


he found. Some of the managers thought that they should soon 
ene into the north-western Territories.—~At Newark, Mes it 
had an opportunity of presenting the wants of the western people : 
to the citizens of that place. At the earnest request of Mr. Weeds 
secretary of the Newark Bible Society, he afterwards sketched down 
some of the principal facts, and addressed them to the Society; ac- 
companied by an application, in behalf of Shawanee-town in the Il- 
linois Territory, for a donation of Bibles. At New York we made 
a similar statement ; and a similar application to the Bible Socjety 
of that city, for Bibles to be sent to Natchez. ‘The success of the 
two last applications we have not yet learnt. While we were at 
New York, information was requested of us, by the managers of the 
Bible Society, respecting the best method of procedure in the distri- 
bution of their edition of French Bibles, which is now nearly complet- 
ed. This request was readily complied with, and we sug: eer 
all the hints, that occurred to us as important on that sahjesta _ These 
Bibles, to the amount of 6,000 copies, are designed to be distributed, 
partly in the southern and western portions of the United States, 
and partly in Canada. At Hartford, Mr. Mills learnt that the Con- 
necticut Bible Society had generously voted 500 Bibles, to its sister 
Society in Louisiana. ees Ya can pepst 
Thus, dear Sir, the streams of christian charity are beginning to 
flow into that thirsty, barren land, where no water is. Would to God 
they might continue and inerease, until every corner and every heart 
shall be refreshed with the water of life.* Gs 


rp oF 
ae 
daet SPe hg seul 


. 
a. 
Ped ee 


We have now, dear Sir, given you a brief account of our tour—of 


our exertions, and of the success with which the Lord has been 
pleased to favour us, in advancing the kingdom of our Redeemer. 


‘We have presented you with some sketches, of the moral and reli- 
gious state of the country, through which we have passed —In re- 
viewing the whole, we feel compelled to call upon our own souls, and 
to call upon the patrons of the mission, to bless the Lord. — Sanely 
goodness and mercy have followed us all the way. On a journey of 
more than six thousand miles, and passing through a harlow 
of climates—in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils 
onthe rivers, and in perils on the sea—the Lord has preserved us.— 
Neither can we forbear to express our obligations fo ot e ehris- 
tian friends in the western country. We were strangers and they 
took us in. From many we received pecuniary aid,t besides other 
important services ; while the kind attentions and christian fellowship 
of others alleviated our labours and comforted our hearts. 

In return for these favours, we have felt compelled to do what we 
could for them. Ever since we came back to this land of christian 
privileges, we have been endeavouring to arouse the attention of the 


* See Appendix, L. 
+ See Appendix, M. 


ay 


ublic, and to direet it towards the west. ‘These exertions have 
te stimulated by a deep conviction of the deplorable state of that 
country. Never will the impression be erased im eur hearts, that 
has been made by beholding those scenes of wide-spreading desolation. 
The whole country, from Lake Erie to the gulf of Mexico, is as the 
valley of the shadow of death. Darkness rests upon it. Only here 
and there, a few rays of gospel light pierce through the awful gloom. 
This vast country contains more than a million of inhabitants. “Their 
number is every year increased, by a mighty flood of emigration’ 
Soon they will be as the sands on the sea shore for multitude. Yet 
there are at present only a little more than one hundred Presbyterian 
or Congregational ministers in it. Were these ministers equally dis- 
tributed throughout the eountry; there would be only one to every 
ten thousand people. But now there are districts of country, con- 
taining from twenty to fifty thousand inhabitants, entirely destitute. 
-And how shall they hear without a preacher 2 

From the estimates made in the preceding pages, it i ee that 
seventy six thousand families, are destitute of the sacre volume, in 
this portion of our country. These estimates are not ungrounded and 
exaggerated conjectures. They are the result of much inquiry, and 
patient examination. It is our sober convietion, that at least 76,000 
Bibles are necessary for the supply of the destitute. And the number 
is every year increasing. Most of those who emigrate from the older 
States are poor: there are many yeung men who go into that country, 
and are married afterwards—and never have an opportunity of sup- 
plying their families with Bibles. The number of Bibles, sent there 
by all the Societies in the United States, is by no means as great, as 
the yearly increase of the destitute. The original number still re- 
mains unsupplied. When we entered on the mission, we applied 
in Rompe to the oldest and wealthiest of these institutions, for Bibles 
to distribute in the western country: but we eould only obtain one 
solitary donation. The existing Societies have net yet been able to 
supply the demand, in their own immediate vieinity. Some mightier 
effort must be made. Their seattered and feeble exertions, are by no 
means adequate to the accomplishment of the object. It is thought 
hy judicious people, that half a million of Bibles are necessary, for 
the supply of the destitute in the United States. It is a foul blot on 
our national character. Christian America must arise and wipe it 
away.—The existing Societies are not able to do it. They want 
union ;—they want co-operation 3—they want resources. If a Nation- 
al Institution eannot be formed, application ought to be made to the 
British and Foreign Bible Society for aid. 

Yours in the bonds of ehristian affection, 
SAMUEL J. MILLS. 
DANIEL SMITH. 


eg Fb Rirsy 
wae mee + ie ‘ 


Agt 
:. - mM Phe «tT i” 
PD Pi Pate 
ode ike PY a hs 
eLE y OH : won 
Se es | 
“7 0 Sel : 
APPENDIX: ie 
PRLS. oe 
a 7: 1% 
ee > TRAE pb 
dey 
; A neal 
A. mg ree Fee 


; , +e ny we 
M.. Wright’s account of the conversion of his profane neighbour 
is worthy of being given at length, as an encouragement to the friends 
of Bible Societies. mF een 
As Mr. Wright was out one day, on one of his parochial visits, he 
called at a place, where a number of people were assembled at a rais- 
ing. While he was conversing with some of them, he mentioned that 
he had Bibles in his hands for distribution. ‘There was a man stand- 
ing by, who had been noted for impiety and profanity. This man, 
hearing Mr. W. observe, that he had Bibles to give away, felt for 
the first time a strong, and to him, unaccountable desire, to possess 
one. He came forward and asked Mr. W. if he would give him a 
Bible. Mr. W. told him he would, if he would read it. During the 
conversation the man made use of some profane expression. The 
good clergyman told him, that he wished hum to call and get a Bible; 
‘and added, that he hoped it would produce an alteration m his con- 
duct and conversation. The man attempted to apologize for his pro- 
fanity, and engaged to call for the Bible. Some Lg thought, 
that charity might be better bestowed, than in giving e Bible to 
such a profane sinner. But the next day he called at Mr. Wright’s 
house ; and he gave him a Bible, enjoining it upon him to read it. 
He said that he had been married more than thirteen years, and had 
never hada Bible in the house; and that he had not read a chapter, 
since he was a school-boy. He promised however that he would pe- 
ruse it, agi 
The very next Sabbath, this man was seen at the house of God. 
He afterwards confessed that he had not heard a cornit Wehe, for 
eight or ten years. During the intermission, Mr. W. spoke with 
him, and asked if he had been reading his Bible. He answered, that 
he had read in it some; and that what he had read, made him feel 
very uncomfortable. He added, that if what he read in that book 
was true, he feared that his ease was hopeless. He thought he 
must stop reading it, and put it out of his house. Mr. W. reminded 
him of his promise to read the Bible, when he received it; and told 
him he ought to examine and see whether it was true, The man 
concluded that he would go home, and read his Bible farther. The 
next Sabbath he was at meeting again, and gave very striet attention. 
From the time that this man received the Bible, his mind became 


49 


more and more impressed. His countenance and deportment were 
affected. His wife and daughter observed the change, and were ap- 
prehensive that he would become ¢razy. ‘They attributed the alter- 
ation in him, to his reading the Bible, and beset him to put it out of 
the house. He refused to comply, and continued to read. After a 
few weeks, he told his family, that it would not do to live so: he 
must commence family worship. His wife was not pleased with this; 
but she concluded, that perhaps it might relieve his mind; and at 
length consented. He began to pray with his family. He was con- 
stant at the house of God, and gave evidence of genuine piety. Now 
he invokes a blessing on those who support Bible Societies. He reads 
his Bible—sheds tears of joy—bursts into a song, and sings surpris- 
ing grace. » 

Mr. W: informed us, when we were with him, that this) man’s 
daughter was in deep distress on account of her sins. 

Ve, who have Bibles enough and to spare, will ye not give one? 
Ve stewards of the Most high, will ye not give any thing, to send the 
Bible unto hundreds and thousands of such families ? 


é B. 

‘The leading characters of the Methodist Society are very active, 
in supplying the western country with religious books. The books 
they furnish are principally the following :—Wesley’s and Fletcher’s 
works—Wesiey’s notes on the New Testament—Methodist Book of 
Discipline—Methodist Hymn Book, &e. All these are direetly cal- 
culated to promote the interests of their own Society. A few Bibles 
are likewise furnished. It is generally said in the western country, 
that the members of that connexion are expected to purchase all their 
books of the preachers and other agents of the Society ;—and that the 
Society will take care to furnish them with all that are needful. The 
impression seems also to be general, that the books are sold very low 
—even at cost. In the Mississippi Territory, Bibles, of the pocket edi- 
tion, with plain binding, are sold at three dollars; with elegant bind- 
ing, at four. 

This energetic Society sends out an immense quantity of these 
books. We found them almost every where. In the possession of 
the obseurest families, we often found a number of volumes. There 
had been sent into the Ilinois Territory, as we were informed by a 
respectable Methodist gentlemen, seventeen hundred dollars’ worth 
of their books, These were designed to supply the western part of 
that Territory; and the avails of the sales, as we understood, were to 
be laid out in furnishing more books. In the interior of the Missis- 
sippi Territory, Mr. Smith found three or four boxes of these same 
books deposited at one house for sale. If this Society bestows a pro- 

rtionate attention on the other Territories and States, the amount of 
books sent annually into the western country, must be very great. It 
puts to the blush all the other charitable institutions in the United 
States. Si 

aia 


50 pd 


Me ie i | 

Extract from Mr. Smith?s journal, dated, 1, Biase 
Shawanee-town, Oct. 27,4844. 

My heart is pained at the sight of this land of darkness, and 
the shadow of death. When we first entered this Territory, at the 


house of the ferryman on the Wabash, we found two 
had no Bible. The father of one of the families, an el 
he never had a Bible in his house. He had been poor, and often was 
unable to purchase. But he had often applied at the stores in Shaw- 
anee-town, to buy a Bible; but could not find any. Sometimes he 
was contemptuously asked, What he wanted of a Bible? and What 
good that book would do him? But for my part, said he with strong 
emotion, if I had one, 1 would not exchange it for any Aber on 
* for the Bible I believe is the greatest book in the world. We told 
him, that if he would apply again at Shawanee-town, he should h: ve 
@ Bible. We had sent fifty there for distribution. = = = = = = 


ilies who 


D. 
Extract of a letter, from Rev. Samuel F. Scott. 


Sar 


nt 
Seott. Our subscription is about two hundred dollars, and 
Our Society has already had a good effect. Lam qu 
G Ene a 
Un ah Ake pliget* 
Pa A th 
EK. ‘ ee eT a de 
Extract of a letter, from his Excellency Thomas ye . \ A iat 


} Pt. glee 
“ Jeffersonville, (Ind. Ter.) Je u .2 , 1845. 

“< Reverend and esteemed Messrs. Mills and Smith,—Agreeably to 
my promise, I can inform you, that the Bible Society, whieh we have 
made some progress in exertions to establish, isnot yet matured. At — 
New Albany and this village, there are subseribed about two hundred 
dollars. Judge James Seott informs me, that at Charlestown the sub- 
scription is small—does not say to what amount, but expeets, that 
the people, when they come to understand the true principles of the 
Society, will subseribe liberally.....As.soon as the winter breaks, no- 
tice will be given to the subscribers to attend another meeting. If 
my health is restored sufficiently, I will attend it. Ifeel considerably 
interested in having the Society perfected as speedily as possible.— 


54 


I have given out the twenty five Bibles you left with me.....I have 
given away nearly all the pamphlets, &c. 
t (este t+ “ | am very respectfully your friend, 
hey 9 “ T. Posey.” 


At New Albany, we witnessed the distribution of fifty Bibles, sent 
there by the Newark Auxiliary Bible Society. The eagerness of the 
people to obtain copies was astonishing. Mr. Nathaniel Scribner, 
the gentleman to whose.care they were committed had more applica- 
tions for Bibles than he could supply. ‘Two young men, having heard 
of the circumstance, came on the Sabbath—a stormy and uncomfort- 
able day, twenty miles, to obtain Bibles. When they received them, 
they placed them in their bosom. They were induced to tarry and 
hear.a sermon; and then went home in the night, rejoicing that they 
had obtained such a treasure, In a few days the Bibles. were all 
gone; and Mr. Seribner said he could immediately distribute a hun- 
dred more, if he had them, 


F. 


© | Extract of a letter, from Stephen Hempsted Esq. to Mr. Smith. 
prin ' _ © St. Louis, (Missourt Ter.) June 6, 1815. 

_ Respected friend,—I have nothing that I can communicate to you, 
in respect to our destitute situation, more than you have seen, and 
been informed of, when you visited St. Louis. There has not a cler- 
pyman of any class visited these parts, since you were here, to my 

nowledge.....1 have not the least doubt, that a man of good moral 
character, good talents and education, would be cordially received 
and well provided for, by the people,—and would do much good, in 
establishing correct principles and forming churches here. ‘The time 
is not yet come for us to receive so great a blessing, as to have the 

ospel statedly preached, andthe ordinances administered to us. 
Gots time is the best time.; He will send by whom he will the bless- 
ings he designs, for any church or people ;—and will be sought unto, 
for all the blessings we desire... Brethren, pray for us ; that we may 
not be impatient, but wait God’s time, to bestow these blessings on 
this part of our land........Don’t forget our destitute situation, when 
you make report to the Society. 

s¢ Yours in christian affection and esteem, 
“ Sreruen HemesTep.” 


“P.S, June 43. The box of Bibles and Testaments has just ar- 
rived safe. I open my letter to inform you.” 


G. 


Extract of a letter, from Rev. James M*Gready to Mr. Mills. 
“ Red Banks, Henderson County, (Ken.) April 27, 1815. 
% Reverend and dear Sir,—I received your letter dated the 21th of 


52 


January, with the Religious Tracts, which you sent to me for distri- 
bution. I have used every possible exertion in t » distribution of the 
Tracts, where I hoped they would have the desired effeet—I have 


found them universally received with gratitude, in every place where 
I have presented them; and I have generally seen the families where 
they are presented, all attention to them, and évery person reading 


them with seriousness and solemnity. 1 am ex ly pleased’ wit 
the plan, and I sincerely believe that I could distribute a thou sand of 
them to advantage ; and I must think, if prea ies hy will be 
blessed means of promoting the salvation and immortal interests” 
many; especially in a country like ours, where there are hundre s of 
precious souls, hound for the eternal world, that eannot be persuaded 
to attend the publie preaching of the gospel. When I received your 
letter, I designed to earry it to the spring meeting of our Presbytery 
and to have made proposals, for the formation of a Religious Tra 
Society in our own bounds. But being prevented from attending, by 
reason of the excessive high waters, nothing “has been done in that 
business yet. But during the summer, I shall use every exertion in 
my power to effect it, and shall write to you again on the subject, to- 
wards the fall. 

“ If some Religious Tracts were in my possession, showing the 
vanity and soul-destroying nature of giddy balls and vain amusements 
—some treating of the importance of seeret prayer—some of the dan- 
ger of quenching convietions—some giving anaceount 0 ordiha- 
ry conversions—such, I think, I could distribute to advantage. = 
-" 6 You desire me to give you some information of the wants of the 
people in this country, with respect to the Holy Scriptures, and wheth- 
era gratuitous distribution of them here would answer a valuable 
purpose, In answer to this I would'say, There are multitudes in the 
motley, mixed population of this western countr » that have not a 
Bible in their houses, and probably never had. ere are many peo- 
ple here, and people of property too—and what the world ‘peo- 
ple of respectability, that know no more of the contents of the Bible, 
than the Shawanees or Chactaws do. 1 have asked many of this de- 
scription, whether they believe the trath of the Seriptures or not. I 
have frequently received such answers as these: ‘1 do not know, it 
is probable they are true, but I have never thought about it—indeed 
T have never read the Bible much—I neverhad one? = " 

“ In the bounds of this County, where I spend ep 8 
lady informed me that a lady of her acquaintance, the wife of a eist, 
was under very serious impressions; and solemnly eoncerned about 
her eternal state—that she had an intense desire to read the Bible, 
but there was no Bible in her house, and that her husband would not 
get one for her—that all her entreaties to him: on that subjeet were 
in vain. I procured a Bible for her. ‘This woman, some time after, 
obtained a blessed hope of salvation, through the mediation and 
atonement of Jesus Christ. And some months after, she died happy, 
rejoicing in the prospect of a glorious immortality. arash 

“ Upon a certain day, I called at a house where I had business. 
The lady and her children being alone, I asked her some solemn 
questions about the state of her soul, and found by her answers, that 


53 


she had a feeling sense of her lost, undone state. She lamented 
her situation—her chance for attending public preaching was bad. 
Her husband was a deist. He looked upon religion as foolishness, 
and was a hindrance to her attending. She lamented her ignorance, 
and told me that her parents had neglected her education. Yet she 
could read the New ‘Testament, but could not get one. She had times 
without number entreated her husband to get her a Testament; but 
he would not. I proposed to furnish her with one; and she appear- 
ed much rejoiced.* From these and similar circumstances, i am 
confident, that Bibles and Testaments could be distributed to advat- 
tage. . ' 
“ I am, with respect, your sincere friend and brother 
in the gospel of Christ, 
“James M‘Greavy.” 


Extract of a letter, from the Rev. William Dickey, to Mr. Mills. — 


Salem, Livingston County, (Ken.) April 4, 1815. 


“ Dear Sir,—Some weeks ago, I was at the mouth of Cumberland 
river, where I received a bundle of Religious Tracts, and a letter 
from you, informing me from whence they came, and what to do with 
them. I thank you, Sir—The first bundle of Religious Tracts Lever 
saw. I read them eagerly, and was glad to have it in my power, to 
give away a present, so suitable, and so acceptable, to many a desti- 
tute family. I directed those who receiyed them, to read them over 
and over, and then hand them to their neighbours. Be assured, Sir, 
they have excited considerable interest among all elasses. Religious 
Tracts have been much desired by us, ever since we heard of Socie- 
ties of this kind. But we were never, until now, able to appreciate 
their worth. That so many numbers, and 6000 of each, should be 

rinted for gratuitous distribution, astonishes our people. They say, 
It is the Lord’s doing, and marvellous in our eyes. 

< You desire to know the probable number of poor, destitute fami- 
lies, in this vicinity, who might wish to be possessed of the sacred 
Scriptures. Dear Sir, I see, or think I see, another blessing, in the 
bosom of this request. I dare not hazard a conjecture, in answer to 
your inquiry. But perhaps you will meet your object, when I tell 
you, that we have lately distributed twenty eight Bibles, which we 
received from the Kentucky Bible Society ; and that this number, © 
instead of supplying the destitute among and around us, has only 
brought them into view. 

“J am, dear stranger, with sentiments of gratitude, 
your obedient friend, 
“ Wiiu1am Dickey.” 


* We wish here to meet an objection, sometimes urged against the gratuitous 
distribution of the Scriptures, The objection is, that if a man is able to purchase a 
Bible, but is too regardless of religion to do it, he will derive no profit from it, if it is 
presented tohim. ‘This we do not grant; and as a proof of the contrary, we refer 
to Mr. Wright’s account. [Appendix, A.] But if the father of a family be not pro- 
fited, by the gift of a Bible; the wife, or the children, may be made wise unto sal- 
yt In the two instances related by Mr. M‘Gready, who would refuse to give 
a Bible ? 


54 


From Mr. William Harris, with whom we became acquainte 
Madrid, on the bank of the Mississippi, we received aletter, 
St. Genevieve, March 26, 1815 the etasiaat f which is as fo 

My dear Friend, : ae aaithoid . rst 

I left New Madrid on the 10th of February. The Engli 
and French Testaments, which you left there, were ece 
joy. The Tracts were much sought after, and were } 
another. The Tracts are very necessary, in order 


tion; and to answer that question which sometimes o¢ urs, viz. What 
shall I do to be saved. As 1 ama pediar in this country, I have an 
ny of them 


swearing. I inclose in my letter to you a twent ne? 


WitiiamM. eM 
. Hoge etonbr a thi tae 
H. i 18 RRR A UU Dg oe 


’ ; aR Dew Real eg 
Copy of a letter, from the Rev. Charles Coffin of Tennessee, to the — 
Rev. Abel Flint. ahecely i AFD 3 
Green County, June, 1845. — 
“ Rev. Sir,—It is with great pleasure we have he d of the pres ent, 
revival of religion in Yale College. A similar display of diving, 
5 ‘ 7 Z ~ ee a fs: 
grace in Princeton College is, also, a matter of gre thankfulness. 
When God easts the salt into the largest fountains of poner a our 
land, streams must issue which will gladden his people. 1 Aid ir, 
we are here in a wilderness s—1 had almost said, ey 5! 
Jand, where no water is. The Presbyterian ministers here are as 
nothing to the demand of the population. The fields are white for 
the harvest; but what shall be done for labourers? We have re- 
ceived intimations that a Missionary Society in Connecticut, of which 
you are a member, may have it in their power to send one or two 
missionaries. , Sir, ifthey can, do see that itis done. The common 
cause might be greatly advanced by suchastep. The eall for preach- 
ing in our vacant churches and destitute settlements is universally 
great. Should your missionaries be direeted to eonsult with the 
Trustees of the East Tennessee Missionary Society, as to their field of 


. 55 


labour, it might favour their usefulness. We i the showers of 
divine grace are not to pass by this western part of our country. But 
means must be in proportionable operation, before we ean look for an 
extensive blessing. You will perceive by the last census that the 
Legg a of East Tennessee is about 100,000. But only seven or 
eight Presbyterian ministers are ordained among them, and one or 
two candidates coming forward. Our hands might be much strength- 
ened and our hearts encouraged by any aid Connecticut may be able 
to send us. We fear less injury to-the cause of religion here from 
sectarianism, wild and irregular as it often is, than from irreligion, 
ignorance and stupidity. Well qualified Missionaries would be sure 
to gain attention, from the various denominations among the people. 
If it should be necessary, our Missionary Soeiety would contribute to 
their support from what is now in our scanty funds. Hereafter, per- 
haps, our pecuniary ability will be greater. 

* J shoald have written at much greater length, and given a broader 
and fuller view of this subject, but the pressure of indispensable du- 
ties at this time, has prevented. 

“ Relying on your zeal to build up the kingdom of our dear Ré- 
deemer, I remain with respect and affection your unworthy brother, 

* Cuares CorrFin.” 


Copy of a letter from the Rev. Isaac Anderson of the State of Tennes- 
see, to the Rev. Abel Flint, Secretary of the Missionary Society of 
Connecticut. 


“* East Tennessee, Blount County, Maryville, May 14, 1815.” 


“ Rev. Sir,—It has been suggested to me that there is a probability 
that the Missionary Society, of which you are Secretary, could send 
us one, or perhaps two Missionaries. If you can, it will be an ines- 
timable blessing —We have a Society ealled the ‘East ‘Tennessee 
Missionary Society ;? the object of which is to spread the knowledge 
of Christ, in destitute places in East Tennessee, by the distribution 
of Bibles and Religious Tracts, and by sending preachers. We 
have no preachers. ‘There are eighteen counties in East Tennessee ; 
and there is not more than 3000 souls out of a population of 100,000, 
that have any opportunity to hear the gospel, except from illiterate 
men, many of whom cannot even read the Seriptures. How gloomy 
the picture! But, Sir, you can have no conception of it unless you 
were here. Perhaps one fourth of our population has not a Bible ; 
and hundreds of them are taught that it is not very essential. A more 
needy field of missionary labours can hardly exist. 

“Can your Society send us a missionary and support him, (though 
we would if we could, and will do ali we ean,) to labour under the 
direction of our Society as to time and place ? How thankfully should 
we receive him! Present our case to your Society. Although this is 
a solicitation of an individual, yet I know I speak the mind of the 
Society, and were they all here I believe they would sign this letter. 

“ Your brother in the gospel of Christ. 
“Tsaac ANDERSON.” 


56 


‘ 1 Ee ah, Oe by io fa 
Extract of a letter, from Rev. William Bt Gould. 
« Gallipolis, Gallia County, (Ohio,) June 42, 1845. 
¢ Beloved 8 a rejoices me, that I have had the privilege 
of being a small partaker in the work of which you are a principal. 
You sent ten French Testaments to this place, ‘ca Seomeayert, 
[Falls of Ohio,] Jan. 3, 1815.—It was an offering of sweet smelling 
savour. It fell to my happy lot to distribute them. I earried them 
to the houses of our French neighbours, and spread the word of life 
before them. I explained the object and wishes of the benevolent 
Bible Society, which sent them the Testaments 5 presented some evi- 
dences of its divine original ; showed its desirableness—its' adapt 
ness to our wants, and urged the necessity of reading it, and of obey- 
ing its precepts. In almost every instanee, it was received with ex-— 
pressions, and most evident tokens of gratitude. In one instance, on 
presenting a Testament, the affecting reply was, “ Oh, Sir, this is 
too much.” And again—to a native of St. Domingo, who did not 
before know what the Bible was. “ It is just what 1 want—I thank 
you.” I have found places for them all. May God accompany 
them with his blessing, and reward the benevolent donors.” 
“ Yours in the Lord, 
“ Wititam R. Goutp.” 


Extract of a letter, from Mr. D. Dufour, translated from the French. 


“ Vevay, Swisserland County, (Ind. Ter.) June 20, 1845: 
. « Mr. S. J. Mills, Sir,—In the beginning of May, I received your 
very acceptable letter, dated January 3, 1815, with ten € ies of the 
French New Testament, printed by the Philadelphia Bible Society. 
The reception of the Testaments has afforded real pleasure, both to 
me, and the Swiss families, among whom I have distributed them.” 

[Mr. Dufour regrets, to use his own expression, ‘ that a book so 
saered as the New Testament had not been printed with greater care.’ 
He had noticed some typographical errors; and also that the binde 
and even lines, were cut off.* | WP ine 4) 

“ But notwithstanding these defeets, this valuable present has been 
received among us with much joy; and all the families, which have 
received copies, have eharged me to present to you their cordial sal- 
utations, and sincere thanks. While I express their sentiments of 


* We think the remarks of Mr. D. are worthy the serious consideration of the 
managers of Bible Societies. Economy has perhaps been too much consulted here- 
tofore, by those who have printed Bibles and Testaments for gratuitous distribution. 
‘The Directors of the British and Foreign Bible Society have thought it best to re- 
commend the Bibles and Testaments circulated by them, by the superior style in 
which they are executed. As soon as the Religious public in this country shall feel 
on this subject, as its importance demands; our societies will not want for resources, 
to enable them to follow such an example. 


57 


gratitude, I pray you, my dear Mr. Mills, to aceept my own in pars 
ticular; and to present the same, in the name of us all, to the res- 
pectable Philadelphia Bible Society. | ' 
“ With sincere respect and fraternal affection, 

' “ D, Durour.” 


_ A brief account of this settlement may be interesting to the reader. 
It was commenced in 4803 by three families, originally from the Can- 
ton de Vaud, near the Geneva Lake in Switzerland. In the 
eourse of a few years, it was increased by eight or ten families 
from Switzerland. In 1842 there were between seventy and eighty 
souls in the place. Since that time, the settlement has been increas 
ing. The principal object of these people is the cultivation of vine- 
yards. They have about fifty acres planted with the vines, which al- 
ready begin to be productive. They have made, in the course of a 
year, more than 4000 gallons of wine. By some the wine is esteemed 
equal to the claret of Bordeaux. They are honest and industrious 3 
and were in the habit of’ meeting together on the Sabbath, for reli- 
gious worship. They are, as far as we could learn, Calvinistic in 
their religious sentiments. Vevay is about 70 miles below Cincinnati, 
ands above the mouth of the Kentucky river. 


K. 
Report of the Louisiana Bible Society. 

The board of managers of the Louisiana Bible Society, respectfully offer the follow- 
ing Report relative to the progressmade by the Society since its institution, [agth 
of March, 1813.] 

The Bibles (in English) and the New Testaments (in French) 
which we have hitherto circulated, are the donations of other sister 
Societies. 
~ From the New York Bible Society was received, in the summer of 
4843, a donation of 150 English Bibles, through the hands of the Rev. 
Messrs. Schermerhorn and Mills. From the Massachusetts Bible 
Society was received, in the month of February, 1815, a donation of 
440 English Bibles, sent on by the Rev. Messrs. Mills and Smith, 
visiting this country as missionaries. By the same gentlemen, the 
Philadelphia Bible’ Society has forwarded 3,000 French New Testa- 
ments, a part of the edition of 5,000, which that Society, aided by 
sister Societies, and different individuals, has printed for gratuitous 
distribution among the French of the State of Louisiana, and the Ter- 
ritories of Missouri and Illinois. 
~ From the British and Foreign Bible Society, the parentof a thousand 
like institutions, existing in Europe and America, we have to ac- 
knowledge a generous donation of 4001. sterling; one among many 
other instances of the yery extended and benevolent views of that 
most noble institution of modern times. : 

Of the English Bibles there have been distributed, 
64 among 300 British prisoners in the public prison at New Orleans. 
30 among 300 patients of the United States hospital, (of whom 180 
were British prisoners.) 
s 


58 
7 eo 


34 among 240 sick in hospitals of the Kentueky militia. 9 
31 among 265 sick in hospitals of the Tennessee militias = = 
34 among 360 sick in hospitals of the Louisiana militia. =~ al vere 
8 among 50 sick im the United States navy hospital. ¥ 
36 among the heads of American families in the county of Attaka- 
as. : bd cor Weary to , 
42 ewer the heads of American families on the Amite and Comite 
rivers, Florida. » cred eolemaaber dake et 
44 to individuals at New Orleans. ) Bu he pibann ves 
oa ; pe } 0 alld  @pepuaay ' 
290 in the whole, and leaving the Society without a single Bible in 
English, at a time too in which numerous appli ions are 
ing for them. | wt, Gana elie Ves 
Of 3000 copies of the French New Testament received in this ¢ > 
there have been distributed, 8 8  ... 
2000 among the inhabitants of New Orleans and its environs. + 
- 442 have been sent for distribution to the county of Natchitoches. 
_ 42 for the county of Rapides. dem piegil 
200 to the county of Attakapas. b Loonmie” sokehatevg ‘xigdls 
800 copies of the French New Testament have been forwarded by 
the Philadelphia Bible Society, and committed to the care yar | 


Laney 4229 


different gentlemen residing on the river between this eity 

Natchez, for gratuitous distribution among the inhabitants of 

their vicinity. up's ly sap dadtu 
The. want of Bibles in Lonisiana has heen extremes and it will yet 
require a very considerable number to supply im an adequate manner 
the families which are destitute of the word of God. Had three thou- 
sand English Bibles and as many New Testaments been in the hands 
of the managers at the beginning of the past winter, they could have 
been distributed in this city with the greatest facility, and it is be- 
lieved with much advantage; so good an opportunity will not proba- 
bly occur for some time to come. Our regular troops an militia then 
here were remarkably destitute of the seriptures.. Shoal 

It was very unusual to find any portion.of the sacred anieesnens 
our soldiers; and in many instances there were found an hundred si 
assembled ina hospital, without having among them one Bible er 
New Testament. LA, Se APOE 

Some of the Tennessee militia, when passing through Nashville on 
their way to New Orleans, had inquired in vain for a Bible; not one 
was to be found for sale; and in the month of December last a simi- 
lar inquiry was fruitlessly made in this eity by a gentleman from the 
Amite—nor is there at this moment a Bible to be purchased in a book- 
store in the city. of ew Orleans, ‘ bi, ik), ge 

The inhabitants of Florida, who are prineipally Americans, are 
generally without the Scriptures; so are the other Americans, for 
the most part, throughout the state. It has been supposed, and it is 
believed with the strictest correctness, that before the transmission of 
a few French Bibles to New Orleans by the British and Foreign Bi- 
ble Society, in the year 41813, there were not ten among the rench 
inhabitants of Louisiana. 


59 


The manner in whieh ie, Seriptures pawn em received hy. heen 
to whom they have been distributed, is highly gratifying, and en- 
courages the belie? that the labours of ras who have united in this 
work will not be lost. . 

The Tennessee and Kentucky troops received the Bibles with no 
ordinary willingness—it seemed to be received by many of them as 
© l of great price.” ul 4 

pid were not Bibles sufficient to supply even the sick im hos- 
pitals, who are anxious to receive them, it was not uncommon to see 
one reading aloud to several around ; and at other times two or three 
lying on the floor together would be attempting to read in the same 
book at the same time. Some of those, who had received Bibles, de- 
clared their intention to earry them home with them on foot 300 or 
4000 miles; and rather than not carry them tkey said they would 
throw away part of their baggage. iat ial ; 

‘The French have received the New Testament with much satisfac- 

tion. It is possible that some have asked for it from curiosity ; but 
very many have done so from a wish to search the scriptures, which 
numbers declared they had never seen before. It must give pleasure 
to every philanthropic mind to learn that the rising generation in this 
city, heretofore almost destitute of any book of instruction, has now 
a elass book used throughout our schools—ihat those children whose 
parents were unable from the exorbitant price of sehool books and 
the pressure of the war to furnish them, have now a book “which 
hath God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without auy 
mixture of error, for its matter.” 
_ Although the three thousand copies of the New Testament in 
French had been received by the president of the society about the 
middle of December last, owing to the disturbed situation of the 
country, at that time invaded, none of them were distributed until 
about the 10th of February—after a few persons had* received the 
New Testament, and it had become generally known, that there were 
more in the hands of one of the managers, who had been appointed 
to make the gratuitous distribution of the whole number designed for 
the city, the app erties were more frequent than could be supplied 
—a large crowd of some hundreds of people of all colours and ranks, 
was formed before the house, and became literally elamorous to have 
“a book,” a word which was -often vociferated in French by fifty 
voices at once. 

Such an assembly, for such a purpose, never before witnessed in 
Louisiana, presented to the beholder many affecting seenes—the 
young and the old, the rich and the poor, as if alike conscious of their 
wants, pressed forward with outstretched hands, to reeeive the vyalu- 
able gift—a child not more than five or six years of age, was borne 
in the arms of its mother, a woman of colour, pressing through the 
~ erowd.as one of the canditates for a treasure which she seemed. justly 

to estimate; the silence and attention exhibited by the bystanders 
was immediately rewarded by hearing this infant read in an intelli- 
gent manner the story related in Mark x. 13, 46, [4nd they brought 
young children to him, that he should touch them ; and his disciples re- 
1 those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much 


leased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to et 


me, and forbid them not : for of such is the kingdom 9; 
Tsay writo you, Whosoever shall not receive the ki 
little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took 


ok them up in his arms, 
gut his hands upon them, and blessed them,} rendered doubly interest- 
ing by the incidents. 7 Leena BCMA 
As all who presented themselves for a French New Testament 
were asked if they could read, and if any doubts existed, were put to 
the trial: an aged black woman, being asked the usual question, and 
requested to prove the fact, answered that she could not without her 
spectacles, which she had not with her; but unwi to depart un- 
til the object of her wishes had been obtained ‘she r ap- 
plication, and observed to the distributor, “if 1 get ab 
hood it will not be deceiving you, but God.” Many pers aaa 
could not read themselves, wished the New Testament 
dren, who, they said, would read it for them. brea A Be ahh 1. 
The managers have received the hearty co-operation of m ‘indi- 
viduals in distributing the French New Testament. ” The reverend 
father Antonio dé Sedilla, the eurate of the parish, has taken an 
active part in aiding the circulation of the ‘New Testament amor 
the Catholics ;the countenance given by him to the views of the So- 
ciety is of the highest importance, from the great influence which he 
has among his’parishoners. We acknowledge likewise with pleasure 
po aid of several gentlemen ; nor in any instance has assistance been 
refused. di idle apa 5: Sa 
The British prisoners, to whom a portion of the English Bibles 
were distributed, manifested the sincerest joy and ve 3 most of 
them had been supplied with Bibles or ‘Testaments previous to their 
embarkation for this country ; and some (as appear a pritited 
notification in’ the Testaments) by the Naval Bible Associa es- 
tablished as long ago as 4780, but having left their heavy bag 
at their camp on the sth of January, the day on which a general as- 
sault was made on the lines near this city, they became destitute when 
made prisoners. Sash! Malad 
During the past year this Society has received man interestin 
reports from the numerous Bible Societies now established in th 
United States; the information contained in them is in a high : 
gratifymg and encouraging to the promoters of these asseciations. 
Some few extracts from these valuable communications will be found 
in the Appendix. The committee, however, cannot omit on this oc- 
easion earnestly to recommend the perusal of such reports ; they afford 
_ the best views of the design, the utility and progress of these Societies. 
Before concluding this Report the committee beg leave to eall upon 
the Society for a cordial union in the vigorous perry of diffusing 
the light of “the glorious gospel of the blessed God.” 2r 
The gospel is entrusted to us, not for our own sakes only, but for 
the benefit of the world. We receive, that we may eommunicate.— 
Religion, like other blessings, is to be diffused by human ag ney and 
human benevolence. It has flowed to us through the zeal and labour 
of those who have gone before us; and we are bound ware the 
debt by spreading it around us, and transmitting it unimpaired to suc- 


64 


eeeding ages. To this most worthy eause of God and holiness, of 
human happiness and virtue, a eause which can never fail, which is 
destined to survive the schemes of statesmen, and the trophies of con- 
querors, let us attach ourselves with a disinterested and persevering 
zeal, which will prove us followers of him who lived and died to en- 
lighten and redeem mankind. 
Great and magnificent is the undertaking in which we are engaged ; 
at too are the consequences which we may rationally hope will be 
their result. Let no minor difficulties impede our progress; rather 
let them animate our exertions and quicken our pace. The hundredth 
part of the zeal and humanity of a Howard, exerted by each of us, 
would convey the Bible to the most secluded mansion in our country— 
would put into the hands of the widow, the fatherless, and the af- 
flicted, the words of everlasting consolation. A zeal like his pervad- 
ing our institutions, would print the word of God in every language 
of the earth, and give to every son of Adam, “the scriptures, which 
are able to make wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ 
Jesus.” Let no objections of infidels, or pretended frieids, make us 
hesitate or swerve from the way; though the Bible alone has nof 
yet converted whole nations, it may be the first step in the grand un- 
dertaking: it may prepare the way for missionaries ; and though, in 
eountries denominated christian, much ignorance and vice may remain 
after the Bible has been generally distributed, no one can say that it 
may not have extirpated much which would have taken root, had no 
exertions been made to repress them. ‘“ The operation of the Bible 
is necessarily gradual and noiseless—its province is the heart, and its 
best fruits are these mild and humble virtues, which ask no notice but 
from the eye of God.. It is enough to know that we have sown the 
good seed of divine truth, and we may leave it with confidence to 
Him, whose grace descends as the dew, and who has promised that 
the desert and solitary place shall blossom as the rose.” 
‘ ALrrep Henyen, Secretary. 


New Orleans, April 25. 

Since this report was written, a box containing thirty Bibles in 
French, and twelve New .Testaments in Spanish, printed and bound 
in an elegant manner by the British and Foreign Bible Society, have 
tees forwarded to the president of the Society—a present truly val- 
uable. 


L 


Bibles, which are sent into the western States or Territories for 
distribution, may for the present be directed to the care of the follow- 
ing gentlemen :—Rev. Samuel P. Robbins, Corresp. Secretary of the 
Ohio Bible Society, Marietta, Ohio. Mr. Nathaniel Burrows, Lex- 
ington, Kentueky. His Excellency Thomas Posey, Jeffersonville, 
Indiana Territory. Mr. Joel Scribner, New Albany, Indiana Tervi- 
tory. Mr. Joseph M. Street, Shawanee-town, Illinois Territory. 
Stephen Hempsted Esq. St. Louis, Missouri Territory. Rey. Charles 
Coffin, D. D. President of Greenyille College, East Tennessee. Rey. 


62 


Samuel Hodge, Summer County, near Nashville, W ea ’ 
John | Sondnaen Esq. Natchez, Mississi ‘ae ye All 
nen Esq. Rieqnetary. of the Louisiana 


rave pote au . a yaney 
ts solicit aabetiiailtlag Hiden A 
M. ashen eter 
f ithe gest Dit 
ACCOUNT OF RECEIPTS AND erEOrrORES. 
4814. _ MISSION, te sects = = 


July 29. To cash paid for wagzon and harness Ss) 119 20 
Aug. 5. To expenses from Litehfield’ to en daseq betes 


480 miles He Get ©) 20°04 
45. To expenses at Philadelphia, > day ys Res tA ined 28 
30. To expenses from yg wena wn Pittsburgh | ait} to 
280 miles -) - 31°70 
Sept.18. To expenses from Pittsburgh to Marietta 130 m. 23 5% 
Oct. 4. ‘To expenses from Marietta to Cincinnati; 248 9 ~~ 
miles distance travelled -  - = 9 = 47 64 
Nov. 8. To expenses from Cincinnati to St. one 497 aebstol 
miles distance travelled - | - t 28 50 
29. To expenses from St. Louis to Louisville, 303 dh ight? 
miles distance travelled = - - ' 23 62 
Dee. 15. To expenses from Louisville to beer os anit mee) 
back, 160 miles - - ss captie | 1a (23 42 
41815. To hepedasiien for the yaueege froin: Louisville oo 


Jan. 4. to Natchez - Lok as SEES 
Feb.7. To expense of passage frau Luibtille to Nat- bang 

chez, 4,239 miles in thirty two days =" =" °64 00 
Mar. 10. To expenses from Natchez to New Orleans, 150 


miles by land; 300 miles by water - = 34 72 
April30. To expenses ‘at. New Oriente, Mr. : 
Smith’s board, &e. - - | 54 74 
Mr. Mills’s expenses at Attakapas - (48 50 
Mr. Mills’s board — - - (77 62 


——— 150 86 
May 29. To expenses from New Orleans to Phila- * 
delphia. Mr. slam i pean to 
Charleston - | 80 25 
Mr. Smith’s passage “to Philadelphia 35 37 
Mr. Mills’s passage to Baltimore = 94.25 
Mr. Mills’s passage to Philadelphia 44 99 


488 86 
June 19. To expenses from Philadelphia to Boston. 

Mr. Mills’s bills = -) = =) 44 2B 

Mr. Smith’s bills = -  -  -)  - = 8845 


Amount carried up $852, 38 


" 


4814. 


July 29. 
Aug. 14. 
Sep. 40. 


1815. 
Mar. 30. 
June 2. 

2. 


29. 


June 49. 


63 


. Amount brought up $852 3s 
To Mr. Smith’s private expenses, includ- = 
ing clothes, equipage, &. - - 4164 82 
To Mr. Mills’s private expenses including 
clothes, equipage, &c. estimated at 161 82 
To loss on the sale of Mr. Smith’s horse 50 00. 
To loss on Mr. Mills’s horse, (say) 50 00 
; - 423 64 


Amount of money paid out $1276 02 

From which deduct eash received for 
waggon sold at Natchez - = 448 00 
Price of buffaloe robe, Atlas, &e. - 44 50 
' 159 50 


Amount of expense correeted i116 52 


MISSION, Cr. 
By cash from Massachusetts Missionary Society 400 00 
Do. Philadelphia Bible Society 200 00 
Do. - Massachusetts Missionary Society : 
in a letter from Mr. Evarts -° - | - 40 00 
By cash from the Mass. Miss. Soc. on a draught 
on Mr. Turo of New Orleans, from H. Gray 200 00 
By cash from Philadelphia Bible Society 400 00 
Do. Philadelphia Missionary Society 
one month’s missionary service - - 400 00 
By Donations from Contributions in aid 


of the Mission, as follows :—From a 
member of Park-street church, Boston 5 00 
From Mr. Wm. Kirkpatrick, Lancaster Pen. 10 00 
Mr. David I. Burr, Marietta, Ohio 5 50 
Friends at Chillicothe - - 6 73 
First Pres. Cong. at Cineinnati 20 00 
Female Charitable Soc.at Cincinnati 20 00 

Col.Chambers, Lawrenceburgh, Ind, 


Ter. in making change - 4 00 
Contribution at Kaskaskias - - 28 72 
Subseription at St. Louis - = - - 26 50 


Contribution at St. Genevieve - - 40 00 
Contribution at Associate Reformed Con- 
gregation, Springfield, Llinois Ter. - 2418 
From a lady at Vincennes - - 2 00 
Contributions at Frankfort - - x 
Do. Pres. Cong. Lexington - 60 00 
Donation from Dr. Fishback + ~- 


220 13 


Amount carried over $1530 13 


64 


Amount brought up $1580 43 
June 29. Subscription at Louisville collected ¥4 
by the Rev. J. Todd. ’ 
R, Steele - - 20°08 4 
Fetter & Hughes - - 40 00— 
C. & F. Bullitt - 14000. 
Thomas Prather - 40 00 
Other gentlemen - 50 00 
400 0G 


Cong. and Pres. Society of South Carolina 
for promoting the interests of religion . 50 00 
Charitable and pious in Charleston, S.C. 40 00 


Mr. C. Paulding, New Orleans - - 7 00 
Mr. M‘Mullin for preaching in the sixth 
Presbyterian church, Philadelphia - 65 00 
202 00 
June 29. Amount of receipts to this date $1732 43 
From which deduet $10 noted above as 
received from Mr. Evarts - - 4000 
Loss on a piece of gold received at 
Kaskaskias - - - - 90 
40 90 


Amount of receipts corrected $4724 28 


FINIS. 


FORM 335 40M 9-42 


wud 


